Moldova Says German Car Parts Maker Draexlmaier Mulls 20 Mln Euro Investment in New Free Economic Zone

Draexlmaier is ready to invest in infrastructure, new facilities and equipment in a new free economic zone, the press office of the Economy Ministry said in a statement, quoting the German company’s director general in Moldova Peter Hilbert.

Another five companies have already expressed interest in starting production operations in a new zone, the statement quoted the Draexlmaier official as saying.

Hilbert was also quoted as saying that Draexlmaier, which opened its first plant in Moldova in 2007, plans to double its payroll in the country by the end of 2009 from the current 1,500.

The Draexlmaier plant in Moldova is located in the town of Balti, in the north.

Draexlmaier (www.draexlmaier.de) manufactures interior products, trim parts and electrical systems for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi and other automotive manufacturers.

Moldova, with a population of four million, has six free economic zones.

($=0.6774 euro)