The 3.5 billion-ruble ($137-million) project in the Vorsino industrial park, around 80 km southwest of Moscow, will put out over 2 million TV sets annually, which could see Samsung’s share of the Russian TV set market rise to 25-30%.

“The venture will produce plasma and LCD TV sets,” the spokesperson said. “The plant will operate in a testing mode until next year – production is to start in 2009 and the plant will reach full capacity in 2010.”

The Kaluga Region is a popular site among global industries in Russia. A number of leading carmakers, including Volkswagen, Peugeot-Citroen and Mitsubishi, have plants in the region. (rian.ru)