INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL supply companies are investing in the Eastern Cape. In East London, condomi africa has begun construction on Africa’s first condom factory, while in Port Elizabeth work due to begin on a medical syringe factory early next year. The condomi africa investment was facilitated by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), and is situated inside the proposed West Bank Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). The primary investment in buildings will be approximately one million Euro, with completion of the building planned for April 2002 and start of production in June, according to condomi africa executive director Simon Cole. The company says that, once the target of handling 350 million condoms per year has been reached, the buildings will be extended to raise production to half a billion units a year. At that point, the first stage of manufacturing condoms – the dipping process - will be brought to East London. The initial capacity is aimed at testing, sealing and packaging 100 million condoms per year, with sufficient capacity to expand to 350 million condoms within the first four years. 140 new jobs will be created within the first year. This figure is expected to rise to above 500 once the facility operates at full capacity. This facility will be following the highest standards of low pollution and minimum environmental impact. In Port Elizabeth, a R16-million syringe factory is a joint venture between local entrepreneurs and South Korean chemical products group, Joongbo Chemical Industries. Spokesman George Borman says the first phase of the development will see the production of 10 million disposable syringes a month. This will be followed by a needle assemble line and the development of other products. Background: German-based condomi was founded in November 1988.as a retailer of condoms. In 1997, condomi bought Germany’s largest condom manufacturer, Everts Erfurt GmbH. condomi's current capacity of 370 million condoms per year and its projected expansion to 880 million as of 2002 make it one of Europe's most important production, marketing, and distribution organizations for condoms. The company has established a joint venture “condomi africa ltd.” together with local investors in South Africa. condomi-plus holds 60 per cent of the equity, of which five per cent will be placed into a trust fund to offer direct participation in the fortunes of the company to all its employees. Khula Group, a black empowerment conglomerate holds 15 per cent of the equity. Ferrostaal, a multinational industrial concern with strong connections to South Africa holds 15 per cent of the equity. Women’s Development Bank of South Africa holds the remaining 10 per cent of equity.