I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincerest greetings to you.
It would not be an overestimation to say that today the wealth of a country depends on its science adn technological capabilities and its abilities to use them. Many nations around th e world are competing firecely to seize the initiative in the development of cutting-edge tec hnologies and to secure superiority in industrial competitiveness.

The government realized early on that scientific development is the driving force behind th e country's economic growth and national development, and thus established a number of state-invested research institutes. As part of such governmental efforts, the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials(KIMM) was lauched in 1976, initially under the name of the Kor ea Test Institute of Machinery and Metats, in order to improve industrial technologies in the field of machinery and metal working as well as to domestically manufacture machinery, th ereby replacing imports and upgrading machine quality to international levels. The KIMM h as thus far led the developtment of the field of machinery in Korea.

With the backing of its 30 years of experience and research capabilities, the KIMM is eterm ined to pool all its capabilities to develop into an agency that will lead the industry, academ ia and research institutes.

At KIMM, all our staff members are well aware of the goals and missions that the country a nd its people expect us to fulfill.With the support and confidence of Korean nationals, we w ill perform a leading role in the development of science and technology to strengthen natio nal cconomic development and welfare. We are ready to listen attentively to people's wisdo m and advice.

Thank you.