Production at Kaesong complex rises in October

By Tony Chang
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) -- Monthly production at an inter-Korean industrial
complex in the North rose more than 10 percent in October from the previous
month, thanks largely to strong performances by machinery and electronics
manufacturers, the Seoul government said Tuesday.

Production at the Kaesong complex reached US$27 million in October, up 12.1
percent from $24 million a month earlier, the Unification Ministry said. The
October figure also represents a 16.9 percent increase from a year ago.
The park, located in the North's border town of Kaesong, opened in late 2004 as a
major project born out of the historic first inter-Korean summit in 2000. South
Korean businesses there produce mostly labor-intensive goods such as electronics,
clothing and kitchenware.
The overall increase was attributed notably to strong output from machinery and
electronics manufacturers, which climbed 26.2 percent and 25.5 percent,
respectively. Foodstuff and textile goods also enjoyed 24.9 percent and 8.6
percent increases, respectively.
Exports from the complex, however, shrank 9.1 percent from a month ago to $3.11
million, mostly due to a decline in machinery shipments, according to the
ministry.
There are currently 116 South Korean firms operating in Kaesong, matching their
capital and technology with the cheap but skilled labor of 42,000 North Korean
employees.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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