Hanwha aims for 36.5 tln won in sales this year

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SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Hanwha Group said Monday it is targeting
36.5 trillion won (US$32.4 billion) in sales this year, up 10.4 percent from a
year earlier.
The conglomerate is also aiming to increase its investment for this year by 12
percent from a year earlier to 2 trillion won, including 600 billion won for
overseas operations. The envisioned outlay for overseas investment reflects a 72
percent gain from the previous year.
"We should strive to tap overseas market to secure a global growth engine," Kim
Seung-youn, chairman of the group, said in a meeting with executives.
Hanwha said it will focus its investment on the green energy sector, including
solar energy and rechargeable batteries. It will also increase its new employment
by 13 percent on-year to 3,400 recruits this year.
The group plans to list the shares of Korea Life Insurance Co., its insurance
unit, on the Korea Exchange within the first quarter.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
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