| GE sets up global R&D center in Shanghai ( 2003-10-23 21:23) (Xinhua)
 
 
 US electronics giant General 
Electric Co. (GE) Thursday set up an international research and development 
center in China's metropolis Shanghai.The center, GE's third following those 
in the United States and India, was set up at a cost of 64 million US dollars 
covering an area of 47,000 square meters, which boasts 28 world-level 
laboratories and over 500 scientists and engineers. The staff number is expected 
to reach 1,200 by 2005.
 The center's main tasks include to research new 
products and techniques, to provide technical support to GE's purchases in China 
and to give training to employees and customers.
 Last year, GE reported 1.7 
billion US dollars of gross sales and 1.2 billion US dollars of gross purchase. 
Its business is expected to grow by 30 percent in next few years, said Jeffrey 
R. Immelt, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of GE.
 The 
center would help the company achieve its goal in China, which is 5 billion US 
dollars in sales and 5 billion US dollars in purchase by 2005, said 
Immelt.
 The fourth global R&D center would be set up in Munich in Germany 
early 2004, according to the company.
 Shanghai now boasts 46 regional and 
international R&D centers, 184 multinational enterprises and over 30,000 
foreign-invested companies.
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