Kang Shin-ho, Chairman Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) We welcome the New Year 2006, the Year of the Dog in with hope. I wish all executives and staff members of FKI member companies and their homes good luck this year. Looking back on last year, we faced many difficulties. From the beginning of last year, a number of enterprises faced hardships owing to a surge in international oil prices and a hike in raw material prices. Due to sluggish facility investment and domestic consumption, the economy recovery was delayed and there were worries that an inequality phenomenon has deepened in each sector of the economic society. However, I think, 2005 was the year when we found hope among various difficulties. Through the successful hosting of the APEC Summit and CEO Summit, we could boast of our potential power to the world once again. In terms of corporate management, our enterprises succeeded in exporting more than $250 billion worth of goods and services by tiding over many crises and enhancing competitiveness of their products, jacking up the status of the Korean economy in the global market. The morning of the New Year broke with hope. Many people anticipate that domestic consumption will regain its strength and the economy will see a modest growth this year. I believe that the Korean economy is gathering new strength for another take-off, ending the long-lasting slump. However, there are still many tasks and difficulties ahead of us. We have to carefully watch such uncertainties of the global economy as international oil prices and rapid changes in currencies of major countries. Domestically, I feel concern that local government elections set for this year may be overheated and hamper the national unity. Without facility investment, our growth potential cannot grow. In particular, creation of more jobs, enhancement of domestic consumption, persistent expansion of exports, and stabilization of ordinary people's life are very important issues for this year. To enter ranks of advanced countries, Korea should solve such difficult problems and the main body to tide over these difficulties is enterprise. In the New Year, enterprises should go all-out to activate the national economy by conducting active investment. Along with this, we should create more jobs to improve life of the people. Also, enterprises need to improve their image through transparent management and righteousness-pursuing management, making people to boast of Korean companies and have a pride as a Korean. In the meantime, as Korean enterprises approach toward the top of the world, competition in the global society has become fiercer than ever. Enterprises should make strenuous efforts to secure a superior position in the global market and gain a respectable image as a corporate citizen in the global society There is hope for us. Enterprises should take an initiative in helping the national economy regain vigor. Let's tide over difficulties of today through enterprises' best efforts to make the country healthier and powerful and let the Korean people have bright hope. Let's have wisdom in preparation for the future, while accepting the reality we have and refraining from laying blame upon the past activities. We attained great results in the World Cup finals four years ago as all Korean people joined force together. Like this, let's again combine all the energies of the nation on the World Cup finals set to open this year. In particular, enterprises should take a lead in making 2006 the year of another take-off through harmony and challenge. Celebrating the Year of the Dog, I wish all Korean people, including workers and entrepreneurs and their families, good luck, love and peace.