December 07, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 15, 1427

BRATISLAVA, Dec 6: The Slovak government on Wednesday cleared a 1.059-billion-koruna (29.8-million-euro, $39.77-million) package of tax incentives to encourage South Korean company Samsung Electronics to expand its existing plant at Galanta, in the south of the country.

The plant is currently one of Samsung's largest in Europe, with around 3,150 employees manufacturing LCD televisions, MP3 players and other electronic goods.

Samsung is mulling whether to invest around 8 billion koruna in expanding its LCD production there.

Slovak Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek said a final decision by Samsung on the expansion should be made in the first quarter of 2007, with the cabinet clearing further negotiations with the company.

The investment could create around 800 jobs, he added. —AFP