Scotland's Economy

Swinney visits Samsung in Korea

April 19, 2012 by John Swinney MSP No Comments | Category Energy

Daylight on Geoje Island in Korea revealed an amazing sight – the Samsung shipyards. It is hard to convey how overwhelming is their presence. In one dry dock, the size of six football pitches, four container vessels were under construction. And that was just one relatively small part of the site.

Samsung have an impressive exhibition on their renewables activity and the work they are undertaking to test their offshore wind device in Scotland. The very impressive part of their proposition is that they can offer a service from design through manufacture to installation.

My discussion with Samsung’s senior management was very positive and I found their ability to innovate truly inspiring.

There is just so much to see at Samsung and so much ground to cover that we spent a large part of the day there. Then up to Seoul for discussions with the British Ambassador to Korea, Scott Wightman, and preparations for events tomorrow.

Within the programme will be a meeting with Doosan Heavy Industry. Their decision not to proceed with an offshore wind development has been the subject of debate in Parliament today. Let’s remember Doosan are big employers and investors in Scotland and we are keen to encourage them to continue to do just that. That’s what I will be doing tomorrow.

Tags: offshore wind, renewables, Samsung

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