KIEV, March 23 ??“ Italy??™s Merloni Group, one of Europe??™s biggest producers of consumer appliances, plans to invest 50 million euros to begin massive production of washing machines in Ukraine, a Ukrainian official said.

The group, at a facility in Ivano-Frankivsk, will produce 800,000 washing machines annually under Ardo brand, one of the best selling brands in Ukraine, and will also target exports to Eastern Europe.