C.K Cho, research chief of Samsung's Indian operations said the firm planned to invest five million dollars in its three-year-old Indian research facility and double its manpower to 300 engineers by 2004.

"We are working towards strengthening Samsung Electronics India's research and development function for home appliances this year, specially for the refrigerator product category," Cho told reporters.

"We have earmarked investments of five million dollars in 2004. Our manpower will also increase to nearly 300 researchers next year."

The South Korean firm set up a new multi-million dollar software technology facility this year in Delhi's satellite township of Noida to develop software for the firm's global digital media network business.

"This unit is already developing software applications for the company's global needs for conventional televisions, projection, plasma and high-end liquid crystal display television sets," said Cho.

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