Du Pont to Increase Presence in China

The US-based Du Pont Company is preparing to launch a couple of new projects in China while increasing investments in its subsidiaries in the country.

"China is one of Du Pont's most important markets in the world, " said Charles Browne, president of Du Pont China. "We're now putting China into our global supply system."

Browne said China's anticipated entry into the World Trade Organization will bring Du Pont huge business opportunities.

To date Du Pont has set up five representative offices and 14 solely-owned businesses or joint ventures in China, with a total investment of US$500 million.

These businesses cover chemical, food, agriculture, nutrition, electronics and textile fields.

Browne said due to the price hikes of petroleum and some raw materials on the global market, Du Pont's global business increased by only 5 percent in 2000, with sales hitting US$28.3 billion.

However, Browne said, Du Pont's outstanding performance in China helped the company realize a growth of 20 percent in the Asia-Pacific region in 2000.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/