Foreigners in Slovakia, page 39
News and features on living in Slovakia
Korean embassy stresses common cultural values
THE PRESENCE of the Republic of Korea and its cultural phenomena in Slovakia is comparatively recent, but can already be felt intensely – and some of the country’s events and traditions have already become a local tradition. However, some new facets of Korea’s cultural offering are emerging this year in connection with a special jubilee.
The Republic of Korea: General facts
Political system: Presidential republicCapital: SeoulTotal area: 99,720 square kilometresPopulation: 49 millionLanguage: KoreanCurrency: Won
Institutions of the Republic of Korea in Slovakia
Embassy of the Republic of KoreaAmbassador: Sang-hoon Parkhttp://svk.mofat.go.kr
Japanese institutions and organisations in Slovakia
Embassy of JapanAmbassador: Akira Takamatsuwww.sk.emb-japan.go.jp
Working together in technology – and art
AKIRA Takamatsu is pleased with the response of Slovak audiences to traditional forms of Japanese art, such as Noh or Kyogen theatres. These performances, as he says, require a sophisticated audience to fully absorb, and are sometimes even considered by younger Japanese audiences to be too traditional. The Japanese Ambassador to Slovakia says that the two nations understand each other very well culturally, adding that he is impressed by the talents of Slovaks. The Slovak Spectator spoke to Akira Takamatsu about the recent visit of the Japanese royal couple to Slovakia, the challenges of Japan’s energy policies, plans for a proposed youth exchange as well as the potential for business and cooperation between the Visegrad Four and Japan.
‘Too early’ to assess impact of FTA
EXTENSIVE investments in Slovakia originating in the Republic of Korea have made the latter country well-known here. Most notable have been major projects by the carmaker Kia Motors Slovakia and electronics manufacturer Samsung. These account for the biggest portion of Korean foreign direct investment into Slovakia to date. The firms’ investments have boosted mutual trade: for Korea Slovakia serves as a gateway into the European Union, while the Republic of Korea is a potential market for Slovakia, which is looking to export more beyond the EU.
Mobis awarded state aid for expansion
MOBIS Slovakia, the main subcontractor to carmaker Kia Motors Slovakia, will receive government investment aid of €5.6 million from the Slovak government to expand its factory in Slovakia. The Fico cabinet approved the aid at a meeting on July 10. The money will be delivered in the form of a tax holiday between 2014 and 2016.
Kia’s Slovak plant runs at full capacity
KIA Motors Slovakia is now using the full productive capacity of its factory in Teplička nad Váhom near Žilina for the first time since production began there in December 2006. During the first half of 2013 the company manufactured 158,900 units, a year-on-year increase of 6 percent, the company wrote in a press release.
Why location and the euro both matter
SLOVAKIA’S European Union and eurozone membership and its geographical location in the centre of Europe make it a suitable target country for Japanese investors in search of new opportunities beyond the borders of their country. Yet, like all businesspeople, the decision of Japanese entrepreneurs to invest in a particular location is primarily affected by the overall economic situation and demand on the global market.
Raising Komárno's visibility
KOMÁRNO and the region along the Danube River may be of interest to Japanese tourists who visit the nearby cities of Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest in large numbers. To make the city and the region better known, Japanese Ambassador Akira Takamatsu has promised to send more information about its local attractions back to his home country.
Japanese culture marks anniversary
JAPANESE performers can hardly complain about the lack of an audience in Slovakia, since the locals appear to be quite responsive to different facets of Japanese culture. Yet, to mark the two decades of diplomatic ties between Slovakia and Japan, even more aspects of Japanese culture will be on offer in 2013. The culture of this distant land will also be represented within the European Capital of Culture 2013 (ECOC) in Košice through a series of events ranging from traditional theatre and music, through ancient games and tea ceremonies to modern visual art, performances and bonsai.
Royal visit boosted visits to Poprad website
A VISIT by Prince and Princess Akishino of the Japanese royal family boosted the number of visitors to the official website of Poprad, one of the places the couple visited during their official stay in Slovakia in late June, the SITA newswire wrote.
Japan: General facts
Political system: Parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchyCapital: TokyoTotal area: 378,000 square kilometresPopulation: 127 millionLanguage: JapaneseCurrency: Yen
Akebono eyes Trenčín
JAPANESE car-industry supplier Akebono Brake Industry plans to build and operate a manufacturing facility in Trenčín where it will manufacture automotive components, the SITA newswire wrote.Akebono’s intention is to build the production plant in Trenčín in three phases – starting at 40,000 square metres and later increasing to a total of 120,000 square metres – and over time to hire up to 350 people. Based on unofficial reports the firm will invest between €20 million and €30 million.
Keeping existing investors is crucial
ALTHOUGH Koreans who come to Slovakia to work stay here for a relatively short period of time, they get along well with the Slovak people and become good neighbours and friends, says Sang-hoon Park, the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Slovakia, who believes that these people “are invaluable assets in bringing the two cultures closer together”. The Slovak Spectator spoke to Sang-hoon Park about his diplomatic mission to Slovakia, the economic challenges faced by his homeland, the free trade agreement between Korea and the EU as well as investment and tourism potential.
Indian institution in Slovakia
Embassy of IndiaAmbassador: Rajiva Misrawww.indianembassy.sk
India: General facts
Political system: parliamentary democracyCapital: New DelhiTotal area: 3,287,263 square kilometresPopulation: 1.221 billionPrincipal languages: Hindi, EnglishCurrency: Indian rupee
Culture promoted by enthusiasts
INDIAN culture has made a big impression on some Slovaks, as there is a whole club of enthusiasts who aim to spread the word about this distant country and its exotic culture locally.
Prestigious address in Bratislava
VECTRA Group, the British-Indian developer, has rebuilt the former sanatorium on Hlboká Street into one of the most prestigious addresses in Bratislava. The extensive reconstruction of the building, which is under protection as a historical building, lasted from 2008 until autumn 2010, trendreality.sk, the website of the Trend weekly dedicated to real estate, wrote in mid February.The building now contains 27 rental apartments. The cheapest apartment, which is 85 square metres in size, is offered for a monthly rate of €1,992.
Aptech partners with British school
THE PRESTIGIOUS Middlesex University of London has clinched a partnership with Aptech Europe, the computer education centre that Aptech Limited of India launched in Bratislava. The British university is offering, in cooperation with Aptech Europe, international IT bachelor studies, Aptech Europe states on its website.
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