AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -ASML, the largest supplier of equipment to computer chip makers, is considering a major expansion in the Dutch city of Eindhoven, an important step toward resolving doubts about where it will grow its operations in the future.

The company and the city of Eindhoven said on Monday they had signed a letter of intent to explore an expansion large enough to house 20,000 new employees in a relatively undeveloped area in the north of Eindhoven near the city's airport.