VP INAUGURATES HMMI EXPANSION PROJECT WORTH US$64.8 BILLION

Purwakarta, Dec 17 (ANTARA) - Vice President Boediono inaugurated an expansion project of PT Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia (HMMI) worth US$64.8 billion here on Thursday.

"I hail HMMI's production capacity expansion. This is for the first time automotive industries (Hino Motors Limited and Toyota Group) combine their production capacities for higher efficiency and productivity," the vice president said in his address.

The vice president said he appreciated the relatively large production capacity expansion reaching 35,000 units of vehicles per year in Indonesia.

He said he hoped t the expansion would eventually contribute to achievement of the national economic growth target and raise the people's income.

Boediono said that the conducive business situation was reflected in the well established and good relations between the company, management and employees.

"It should be noted by investors that Indonesian workers, if treated well, will work effectively and loyally so that they are potential assets enabling the company to compete both at home and abroad," the vice president said.

Hino Motors Limited President Director Yoshiro Shirai said meanwhile that his company's global production was 90,000 units of commercial vehicles per annum.

In Indonesia, he said, Hino's production had reached 10,000 units per annum, and the expansion would be able to raise the production capacity to 35,000 units a year.