○ On the last leg of his tour as the leader of the U.S./Japan Hi-Tech Business Investment Attraction Corps, Gyeonggi Governor Sohn Hak-gyu exchanged an MOU with Nippon Chemicon Chairman Dokiwa Hikokichi concerning the Japanese business’s plan to build a $10 million FPC factory in the Hyeongok Industrial Complex. 
○ On the meeting, Governor Sohn Hak-gyu explained the approx. 50% share in the world’s TFT-LCD market and the strong business potentials enjoyed by LG-Phillips LCD and Samsung Electronics, along with recent moves of their counterparts in the U.S., Japan and Europe to make forays into Korea. 
○ Nippon Chemicon Chairman Dokiwa Hikokichi asked for the Gyeonggi Province’s positive support concerning his company’s plan for investment in the Hyeonggok Industrial Complex in an effort to meet the increasing demand for its products and stay as a competitive supplier in the Korean market. 
○ With the investment from leading TFT-LCD parts suppliers of Japan, such as Nippon Chemicon, Hoya, ULVAC, NHT, the Hyeongok Industrial Complex in Pyeongtaes will emerge as a huge TFT-LCD cluster, thus offering various advantages to the business in the complex, including formation of a mutually cooperative network related to human resources and material supply. 
○ Nippon Chemicon’s decision on investment in the Gyeonggi Province is focused on TFT-LCD FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) modules. 
○ In 2003, the Japanese company established Chemicon Korea in charge of sales in the country after making a foray into the Korean market with a 35% equity in Samyoung Electronics, a condenser manufacturer, in 1968. 
○ Its manufacturing facility in the Gyeonggi Province is scheduled for commencement of production in April 2005 after completion of the construction work in February.