Governor Nam visits first financial organization of Germany to specialize in social enterprises.

Established in 1974, GLS currently finances over 20,000 projects.

◇ On the morning of October 13 (Central European Time), Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil posed for a commemorative picture with Regional Manager Carsten Schmitz after exchanging presents at the Munich office of the GLS Bank, the first financial organization in Germany specialized in social enterprises. 

On his first visit to Europe as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, made with the aim of drawing up a blueprint for ‘The Future of Gyeonggi Province — Next Gyeonggi,’ Governor Nam Kyung-pil found a solution in Germany regarding the provision of financial support to social enterprises within the province.

On the morning of October 13 (Central European Time), Governor Nam Kyung-pil visited the Munich office of the GLS (Gemeinschaftsbank für Leihen und Schenken, meaning ‘community bank for loans and gifts’), the first financial organization of Germany to specialize in social enterprises.

Governor Nam attended a presentation on the establishment of the GLS Bank and its successes, and discussed ways in which the two parties can cooperate.  

Established in 1974, the GLS Bank is a credit cooperative-type financial organization that currently finances over 20,000 projects. This, the first financial organization to specialize in supporting social enterprises in Germany, has been highly acclaimed for its accomplishments.

The GLS Bank provides support via a fund of USD 4.5 billion and focuses on new renewable energy (34%) and social welfare (17%) in such undertakings as community housing, alternative education and eco-friendly energy projects.

The German Federal Ministry for Labor and Social Affairs has approved the expansion of the bank’s micro-lending operations in an effort to spread the positive results of the GLS Bank, and has proactively promoted alternative banking by providing a fund of EUR 100 million jointly with the European Social Fund in addition to other initiatives.

Governor Nam Kyung-pil stated, “Different from other commercial banks that pursue profits on behalf of shareholders only, the GLS Bank has become a model of alternative banking; it regards social benefit as a priority, and contributes greatly in building a foundation for social integration. I hope that, in Gyeonggi Province, a more advanced financial service can be provided by utilizing our leading information and communication technologies in cooperation with community centers and the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation.”

Later that day, Governor Nam met Chairwoman Ursula Männle of the Hanns Seidel Foundation at a restaurant in downtown Munich, and exchanged opinions regarding Germany’s federation and experiences in reunification.

Recalling when he last met Chairwoman Männle at a round-table talk about the federation, Governor Nam Kyung-pil said, “When we met last June, you said saving the other party’s face is important when negotiating with federation partners. I still keep that in mind, and remind myself of that when I meet opposition party members.”

With regard to reunification, Governor Nam added, “Since the media and culture of West Germany were open to East Germany, the people of East Germany not only longed for unification, but were also able to achieve it, which has implications for our reunification. It is critical to have people in North Korea aspire for reunification.”

Regarding federation, Chairwoman Ursula Männle said, “The federation is well received by people, and the capability and speed of addressing major items on the national agenda have been upgraded through federation. The federation also clearly speaks for the consensus of Germany not just within Germany but also in the European Parliament.” 

◇ On the morning of October 13 (Central European Time), Governor Nam Kyung-pil talks with Chairwoman Ursula Männle of the Hanns Seidel Foundation at a restaurant in downtown Munich.

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201410201446007055C052&s_code=C052