Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, 8 July – Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer said Tuesday in Sao Jose dos Campos it had set up its first subsidiary in China, Embraer China Aircraft Technical Services Company, with headquarters in Beijing.

In a process that will represent an investment of US$18 million, the first step for Embraer in China was setting up a representative office in Beijing, in May 2000, with a view to providing after sales services and promoting products and industrial cooperation with Chinese aviation pioneers.

In the statement, Embraer noted it set up Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry (HEAI) in 2003, in the Chinese city of Harbin, northeast China, in partnership with Aviation Industry Corporation of China, which delivered its first commercial jet in 2004.

Due to growth of the customer base in China, Embraer decided to create Embraer China Aircraft Technical Services Company, which was set up on 1 July and is due to start operating in the next 30 days, which will provide logistics and sale of spare parts as well as consulting services for technical issues and flight operations.

Embraer is currently the world leader in the manufacture of commercial jets with up to 120 seats, with units in Brazil, China, the United States, France, Portugal and Singapore. (macauhub)