The Intel Corporation started building its seventh chip manufacturing plant in the HCM City’s hi-tech zone on March 28.

This is Intel’s largest plant in the world, which covers an area of more than 46,000 square metres with total investment of US$1 billion and will recruit around 4,000 employees, including 1,500 engineers.

Construction is expected to be completed within 18 months and put into operation by mid 2009. It is estimated that, the plant will achieve US$5 billion in sales revenue, contributing to HCM City’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).