According to Japanese reports, camera maker Canon says that it plans to build a plant worth $AUD168 million in Nagasaki, which will have a production capacity of four million digital cameras annually.

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Canon says it will begin construction of the plant in January 2009 and is targeted for completion in November with operational start up in December 2009. The factory will manufacture both digital single lens reflex and compact cameras.

Canon also disclosed in the report that it is raising camera production by 20 per cent to 29.4 million units this year especially models that have interchangeable lenses.

According to reports, Canon holds the biggest share in the global digital market at 20 per cent followed by competitors Sony, Samsung and Olympus, as global sales are reported to increase by 12 per cent to about 112 million cameras for 2008.