Czech Plane Maker To Buy Romanian Factory

AERO Vodochody has won a Romanian government bid to take over factory Avioane Craiova for $6.5 million, with a pledge to invest another $14.1 million during the first five years.

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) -- Czech aircraft maker AERO Vodochody has won a Romanian government bid to take over factory Avioane Craiova, the government body in charge of state assets said Wednesday in a press release.

AERO Vodochody offered euro4.1 million (US$ 6.5 million) for an 81 percent stake in the Romanian company, with a pledge to invest another euro8.9 million (US$14.1 million) during the first five years.

AERO Vodochody -- the world's biggest producer of jet training aircraft -- competed for Avioane Craiova against Italian Alenia Aeronautica and Romanian INAV.

Avioane Craiova is the only Romanian producer of army aircraft, and also makes equipment for civilian aviation.

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