A TFT-LCD (thin film transistor-liquid crystal display) joint venture between NEC Corp and SVA (Group) Co Ltd will initially focus on production of computer monitors when its plant goes on stream in October next year, officials said yesterday.

　　The new production line will have an annual capacity of 540,000 sheets of large-sized glass substrate. Each sheet can be cut into 16 pieces of 15-inch TFT-LCD panels.

　　The venture will also make 17-inch and 19-inch monitors based on these sheets, said Gu Peizhu, president of SVA Group, at the official launch of the joint venture yesterday.

　　"The launch of TFT-LCD panel production reflects our strategic shift from single cathode ray tube production into the era of flat displays, including TFT-LCD and plasma display panel televisions," said Gu of SVA, one of China's largest information product producers.

　　SVA Group and two of its listed arms, SVA Information Industry and SVA Electron, jointly hold 75 percent stake in the venture, with NEC holding the balance.

　　The plant, construction of which began in May this year, involves a total investment of 114.6 billion yen (US$1.07 billion).

　　NEC will provide technologies and cash for the joint venture.

　　SVA Group estimates that the group's sales would reach 37 billion yuan (US$4.47 billion) this year and 100 billion yuan in 2005.