November 10, 2006 – Intel Corp. says it will increase the size and cost of its planned assembly/test activities in Vietnam by more than threefold, making it the largest of the company’s seven worldwide assembly and test facilities across Malaysia, Philippines, China, and Costa Rica.

The new plans call for a $1 billion, 500,000 sq. ft site in Ho Chi Minh City, vs. original plans for a $300 million, 150,000 sq. ft site, based on results from an internal study determined the bigger and more expensive facility would be more efficient. Construction on what will be Vietnam’s first major semiconductor facility is now expected to begin in March 2007, with production slated for some time in 2009.

“By expanding the planned size of this facility we expect to gain greater efficiency to improve our ability to meet our customers’ requirements,” stated Brian Krzanich, VP and GM of Intel’s assembly and test unit.

Rick Howarth, GM of Intel Products Vietnam, added that Intel’s relationship with the Vietnamese government, particularly locally, “went smoothly so we could significantly expand the facility’s size.”