BlueScope’s new steel plant inaugurated in Ba Ria-Vung Tau

(ĐN)- Yesterday, Australian Prime Minister John Howard arrived in Ba Ria- Vung Tau province where he attended an inauguration ceremony of Bluescope Steel’s new facility after the conclusion of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

With a total capital of AU$136 million or about US$101 million, the new BlueScope Steel Vietnam factory in Phu My 1 Industrial Zone, Ba Ria-Vung Tau is the largest investment project of an Australian company in Vietnam. This new investment by BlueScope Steel adds to the two existing roll forming lines in Bien Hoa and Ha Tay. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 125,000 tonnes of metallic coated and 50,000 tonnes of painted flat steel products.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Vietnam on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and also congratulate the Vietnamese Government and people for their successful hosting of the 14th APEC summit. I am very happy to attend the inauguration ceremony of Bluescope Steel’s new facility. The plant is evidence of the increasing economic cooperation between Vietnam and Australia. The bilateral two-way trade between Australia and Vietnam has reached a total of US$ 5 billion in 2005-2006 period. Bluescope Steel has a strategic view of developments in Vietnam.” said the Australian Prime Minister at the inauguration ceremony.

Bluescope Steel has operated in Vietnam since 1994, starting with the first facility in Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Zone, Dong Nai province.

Reported by K.L