The opening of the training centre, which is to boost the exchange of know-how, ideas and technologies, was attended by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, Japanese Ambassador Masharu Yoshida, representatives of the company and the municipality as well as Slovenian and foreign investors.

Počivalšek said the project in Hoče was important in many ways and that the Slovenian-Japanese cooperation always resulted in higher added value and technologies.

He said the training centre would connect the education system with business and provide advanced know-how, which was crucial for the development of the Slovenian economy.

He said he was particularly glad that the centre was located in eastern Slovenia, which was to boost regional development.

Simon Kosič, Panasonic's representative in Slovenia, said such training centres were a well established practice in other European countries, including Germany, France, Hungary, Croatia and the Czech Republic.

According to Masaki Arizono, a member of the Panasonic management, the company has more than 50 such centres and plans to open a similar facility in Ljubljana as well.

Kosič said the centre showcased cutting-edge technologies in air conditioning and heat pumps in 85 square metres.

With a tradition of more than a hundred years, Panasonic is a leading developer of electronic technologies and solutions in consumer electronics, housing, automotive and business-to-business companies, selling its products in more than 120 countries in the world.