■ Honhai plans expansion
Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) said yesterday it intends to invest US$163.5 million in China on the expansion of seven projects.
The new funds will be injected into the company's subsidiaries in Beijing, Yantai, Taiyuan, Huaian and Hangzhou, a Hon Hai Precision official said.
The expansion projects cover production of cellphones and related components, computer components and electronic devises for autos, he said.
The company, which employs some 100,000 workers on its production lines in China, has invested a total of US$887.57 million in China.
■ Chartered buys into firm
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd, the world's third-largest made-to-order chipmaker, bought a stake in Taiwan's Gateway Silicon Inc (晶詮科技) to help raise its chip-design abilities.
Macronix International Co, which makes semiconductors used in music players and game consoles, remains the majority shareholder in Gateway, Chartered said in a statement distributed by Business Wire yesterday.
The company noted that it would collaborate with Gateway to develop and optimize design services while extending Gateway's expertise to leverage Chartered's portfolio of value-added solutions.
■ NT rallies on greenback
The New Taiwan dollar strengthened against the US dollar on the Taipei Foreign Exchange yesterday, gaining NT$0.059 to close at NT$33.221.
RSS