The government of Shenzhen, China, is expected to invest up to 51 billion RMB (US$6.8 billion; US$1 = 7.5 RMB) in a bid to cultivate an FPD (Flat-Panel Display)/TFT-LCD (Thin-Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) industry cluster in Shenzhen by 2010, Xinhua News reported, citing a local government official at an international conference held on October 13.

Out of the total investment, the Shenzhen government plans to invest approximately 120 million RMB (US$16.0 million) in an R&D center and a key laboratory, according to the Xinhua report. The R&D center is expected to focus on the TFT-LCD segment, while the laboratory will be dedicated to the R&D of new FPD technologies.

Infrastructure improvement is also included in Shenzhen government's initiative to attract more FPD manufacturers and thereby construct a complete industry chain in the city.