TCL Considering Investment in LCD TV Panel & Module Production

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Dow Jones reports that TCL is considering investing in a roughly CNY2-billion ($247.5 million) project to make LCD modules and later a CNY20-billion project to make LCD panels, both for TVs, Tomson Li, Chairman and Chief Executive of TCL said.

Li said TCL would likely seek partners for the projects, though he didn't mention how much TCL may invest in them. The LCD module project may start production in 18 months, Li said.

As for the more ambitious project to manufacture LCD panels, he said an investment arm of the Guangdong province government could be a possible investor. Li forecast TCL's LCD TV production would double to two million units in 2006 from one million units this year. He said the company would make 23 million TVs in 2005.

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