LUKA KOPER, d.d., Koper

Luka Koper Satisfied With Government Decision

Luka Koper d.d. warmly welcomes the decision of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, which has on 10th July 2008 ratified the Decree on the Management of the Port of Koper as well as proposed a Concession Agreement for its future operation. On the basis of the Decree, which regulates a minimum levy for the awarded Concession, the company would pay the state 3.5% of its annual operating revenues, accordingly reduced by the amount of collected fees.
"It is probably unnecessary for me to stress just how happy we will be when we actually sign the Concession Agreement. The content of the Decree, which has been facilitated by Slovenia's Ministry of Transport, is indeed pleasing. The cost of the Concession is also acceptable, as it facilitates the realisation of all our development projects" affirmed Mr. Robert Časar, President of the Luka Koper Management Board.
Luka Koper is planning to invest some 500 million euros into infrastructure projects over the next few years, which will further the development of the Port and consequently enable an increase in cargo throughput, as well as engender ever-better business results. In this context the Agreement is extremely important, primarily because it guarantees stability through providing Luka Koper d.d. with a Concession to manage and operate the Port of Koper for another 35 years, in addition to which it clearly prescribes the relations and mutual obligations between the company and the state. In accordance with Slovenia's national spatial plan, which is anticipated to be endorsed by parliament next year, Luka Koper will be able to realise its long term strategy, which envisages an annual cargo throughput in excess of 20 million tonnes, as well as a million container units and over 800,000 vehicles per annum by the year 2015.

This information will be available on company's web site www.luka-kp.si from 11th July 2008 onwards.

Date: 11. 7. 2008