Increasing investment in Vietnam is part of the Thai Siam Cement Group (SCG)’s strategy to expand its business activities, said Chaovalit Ekabut, President of SCG Paper, a subsidiary of SCG.

Addressing the launching ceremony of VINA Kraft Paper Co., Ltd. in Binh Duong province recently, President Chaovalit said that the 8-10 percent growth rate of Vietnam ’s wrapping paper market compared to 4 percent in Thailand is the reason behind his company’s investment plan in Vietnam .

The 6 billion Baht (181.1 million USD) kraft paper mill in the southern province of Binh Duong is a joint-venture between SCG Paper and Rengo Co., Ltd., one of Japan ’s largest paper and packaging companies. It has a design capacity of 220,000 tonnes of paper per year.

The inauguration of the mill will make SCG Paper the largest kraft paper producer in ASEAN with a combined capacity of 1.4 million tonnes per year.

According to VINA Kraft Paper Co., Ltd. General Director Chalokporn Phalajivin, 90 percent of the company’s product will be sold in Vietnam and the rest will be exported to Cambodia .

VINA Kraft is expected to gross 2.5 billion Baht this year when Vietnam ’s paper demand is forecast to increase to 1 million tonnes from 920,000 tonnes last year./.