JERUSALEM, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Intel Corp, the world's biggest electronic chip maker, said on Sunday it would open its new die preparation plant in Jerusalem next week.
Intel closed its ageing Fab 8 chip plant in Jerusalem in 2008 and started converting the facility to a die prep plant.
Die preparation is the next stage following the production of wafers.
A spokesman for Intel in Israel said the plant -- which cost tens of millions of dollars to convert and employs 150 people -- officially will open next Sunday.
Intel Israel is one of Israel's largest exporters, with nearly $1.4 billion in 2008. Until now die preparation for Intel's chip wafers has been done in Asia.
Intel's $3.5 billion Fab 28 chip plant in Israel's southern city of Kiryat Gat opened late last year and makes processors with 45 nanometre-wide circuitry.
Intel also operates four research and development centres in Israel.

(Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Greg Mahlich) Keywords: INTEL ISRAEL/ (steven.scheer@thomsonreuters.com; +972 2 632 2210; Reuters Messaging: steven.scheer.reuters.com@reuters.net)

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.