Nokia Plans To Start Making Mobile Devices In India

NEW DELHI -(Dow Jones)- Nokia Corp. (NOK) Wednesday said it plans to invest between $100 million and $150 million in India over the next four years to set up a manufacturing facility for mobile devices.

"India's position at the heart of a rapidly growing mobile communications region makes it an attractive option for establishing our new manufacturing facility," company President Pekka Ala-Pietila said in a statement.

The facility is expected to meet the "burgeoning demand" for mobile sets in the country, the statement by the Finnish telecommunications equipment maker said.

Nokia plans to recruit around 2000 employees for the facility, which will be the company's tenth plant.

"The factory would be an integral part of our global manufacturing network and help fulfill growing demand as mobile communications become increasingly affordable and available to more people in this diverse region", said Ala-Pietila.

Nokia expects to complete the ongoing "investment evaluation process" by the first quarter of 2005.

-By Ruchira Singh; Dow Jones Newswires; 91-11-23074020; Ruchira.Singh@Dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires "

Posted to the site on 1st December 2004