The European Commission has approved €71.96 million ($88.5 million) in Portuguese government aid to help German computer chipmaker Infineon expand its operations in Portugal. "We welcome the fact that the European Commission approved the entire sum," an Infineon spokesman said. The company plans to use the aid to expand its chip assembly plant and test facilities in Vilo do Conde as part of a total investment worth €230 million. The Commission said it made its decision partly on the basis of plans to create an additional 500 jobs in the factory. Infineon currently employs 1,000 people at the Portuguese plant.