President Türk on new opportunities not to be missed by Slovenia

Gumi, Busan, 28.10.2009  |  press release

On the second day of his visit to the Republic of Korea, the Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk visited Kolektor Sinyung Industrial, a company in the South Korean town of Gumi. He discussed with its management their experience in developing the company, which is owned by the Slovenian concern Kolektor, based in Idrija. President Türk particularly commended the young Slovenian experts occupying managerial posts in the company, praising them as an example of entrepreneurial spirit and effectiveness. In this company and in the Republic of Korea in general, production has already equalled that achieved before the economic recession. The company thus expects a development boost in the next years. Company representatives informed Dr Türk of the plans related to the development of new technologies, both in the production of electric motors and in other areas, such as the development of nanomaterials.

President Türk also met with Nam Yoo-chin, the Mayor of Gumi, who outlined development plans for the municipal industrial zone, which is among the most dynamic in the Republic of Korea.

Dr Türk later visited the port of Busan, and talked to representatives of the port's management and the management of the logistics and shipping company Hanjin. The representatives of the port, which is among the largest ones in the world, informed the Slovenian President about the port's current development in the area of container transport and its plans for the future. The port of Busan has developed the most advanced technology for container transhipment control based on its own knowledge and information system. The computers controlling the fully automated transhipment process are exclusively operated by women. President Türk also visited the port's control centre, which is in charge of all operations.

The managers of the port and the Hanjin Company also told Dr Türk about the port's international links, among which the port of Koper maintains an important position. The hosts explained their plans regarding investments in the development of ports in various parts of the world, including the Mediterranean. They expressed their willingness to invest in the development of the port of Koper and to continue talks based on previously established contacts. According to their assessment, this is the right time for such co-operation, as it is associated with large investments in the car industry and other industries in the Central Europe. They emphasised that the logistical support to this development is crucial, and that Slovenia, together with the port of Koper and its transport corridors, has excellent potential in this field. According to President Türk, the willingness of South Korean partners to contribute, with their own means, to the development of the port of Koper and other logistics facilities in the Republic of Slovenia, is an opportunity that Slovenia must not miss.

The Slovenian President expressed his expectation that in the light of business opportunities brought about as the end of the current economic crisis approaches, the problems related to the appointment of the management of the port of Koper would soon be over, and that there would be no further loss of time, which is crucial to strategic business decisions and the enhanced development that Slovenia needs.