NEWS
Prime Minister Janez Janša: Opening of Boxmark Leather Centre gives optimism to Slovenian economy and state
Today in Kidričevo, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, attended the opening of Boxmark Leather d.o.o.'s new R&D business premises, where he addressed representatives from the company and the local community among other guests. The opening ceremony also marked the occasion of the Kidričevo municipal holiday.
In his address, the Prime Minister stressed that the leather industry, which is almost a forgotten industry among the wider public, recorded growth in 2010 and today employs 3,600 people. Boxmark has a leading role in this industry in Slovenia, since it employs more than half the people working in this industry and, according to the Prime Minister, "for this reason, we may credit Boxmark with important efforts for the new growth of the leather industry in Slovenia". Prime Minister Janez Janša highlighted the fact that the company was able to adapt to the crisis market conditions and, in 2011, generated an enviable net profit of EUR 7.5 million, and continued its success story with the opening held that day.
"I am proud of the Slovenian products that successfully compete on the European and international markets. Boxmark exports most of its products and is an important partner in the European automobile industry," he added. In this regard, he highlighted that to be a supplier in the automobile industry means being able to meet high quality standards and adjust and respond quickly. The Prime Minister said: "With today's opening, you send an important message to your partners: that you are a development supplier that cooperates with the customer from the concept to the final product." He added that, with the opening of the research centre that day, the company had laid the foundations for expanding the business to the aeronautical industry and many other industries.
Prime Minister Janša also emphasised: "Today's opening provides evidence that investment in development and innovation is the right response when seeking to improve competitiveness." According to the Prime Minister, the worsening conditions in certain European countries may not be encouraging, but grounds for pessimism are still far away. "It is vital that we change the present situation," the Prime Minister said. In this regard, he summarised the measures already adopted by the Slovenian government to create conditions for Slovenian companies to be successful and competitive, adding that conditions for investment, as regards tax legislation, were currently the most favourable in the Slovenia's history. In this context, he drew special attention to the new package of economic measures adopted by the Government, which includes over 70 measures to stimulate the economy. According to the Prime Minister, this package of economic measures would create more competitive conditions for Slovenian companies, and is due to be discussed in the National Assembly in July.
"I am proud that there are companies in Slovenia that give cause for optimism," he continued, and congratulated the company management and its employees for their success during the economic and financial crisis, and for the increase in the number of jobs. Lastly, the Prime Minister wished Boxmark every success in its future work, and that the successful operation of the company would further set an example for other Slovenian companies.
In a statement to the media on the margins of the meeting, the Prime Minister said that the economic measures prepared by the Government were focused in particular on labour market reform, the elimination of administrative barriers and the creation of conditions conducive for foreign investment, which Slovenia urgently needs. In his view, the opening of the R&D centre today was an event that Slovenia needed and he hoped for as many more as possible in the future.