Eurocopter considers assembly plant

Eurocopter, one of the world’s largest producers of civil helicopters, is considering setting up an assembly plant in Romania to win more business in Central Europe, a Bloomberg report says. Eurocopter, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. (EADS), has recently signed a contract to provide an integrated border-control system to Romania, worth 1bn euros. Eurocopter will assemble EC135 helicopters in Brasov, where it already has interests through a joint venture, Eurocopter Romania. “It is our long-term goal to set up an assembly line once there is sufficient demand,” said Christoph Mueller, a Eurocopter spokesman, in an interview in Munich, according to Bloomberg. He declined to give details of the timing or the size of the investment. “One of the most promising markets is Eastern Europe,” he added. EADS says the EC135 helicopter can help countries offer better border control and emergency medical services. Romania is seeking to join the European Union in 2007 along with its neighbour Bulgaria. It has borders with two other non-EU countries, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. ZF