Czechs say Hon Hai eyes $23 mln European expansion

...Hai , a Czech state agency said on Monday.

Tomas Hruda, chief executive at the CzechInvest investment promotion agency, told Reuters Hon Hai's local Czech unit, Foxconn CZ, was looking at the Czech Republic and other countries in the region to build a new European plant.

He added a final decision on a plant to make flat liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens for European markets could be made in the coming days.

"Foxconn CZ ... is planning further expansion in central European region in the area of LCD screens, which it now produces in China," Hruda said.

"By investing in the European region it will avoid customs and transport costs, and particularly will get closer to the target market," he said.

He said the plant would employ at least 2,000 people.

Foxconn CZ makes computers and electronics parts and has grown to become the country's second largest Czech exporter since launching production in 2000.

Foxconn officials could not be reached for comment.

The listed Hon Hai Precision Industry makes iPods for Apple Computer Inc. and desktop PCs and parts for Dell Inc. , Hewlett-Packard Co. and Sony Corp. .

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]