[ Economy > Focus II ]

  Korea played host to the global business community¡¯s top decision makers during the Hub Korea Forum held in Seoul, Sept. 23rd to 27th 2003. Forty executives, representing Asian, European and North American corporations, participated in the Forum that was designed to showcase the national effort to promote Korea to the position of a regional business hub for Northeast Asia. Specific events included a round table meeting at the ASEM Hall, a visit to the newly created Incheon Free Economic Zone (FEZ), plus presentations on Gwangyang and Busan FEZs.

  The executives, all guests of organizer, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and sponsor, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE), even had the chance to sample Korean culture and personally visit those areas that are earmarked as pivotal locations in the drive to establish Korea as the business hub of Northeast Asia.

  The event concluded with a gala dinner held alfresco at Aston House, the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, presenting the guests with a nighttime panoramic view of the Han River and the Seoul cityscape.

  After dinner, the following guests shared their impressions with KT&I on the Forum and how it would help formulate their business plans in Northeast Asia.

Don Polson Strategic Planning Manager, Jabil Circuit Inc., st. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A.(Electronic manufacturing services)
  "I think [Hub Korea] has been an invaluable experience for all those who attended it. It¡¯s been interesting to see the transition in thinking of the Koreans after having decided to continue their journey in interacting with the rest of the world.

  "I think the steps that have been taken are extraordinary and there are good things to come for Korea.

  "I came here to figure out how Korea might fit into our Northeast Asian, and ¡¯entirety-of-Asia strategy.¡¯ And, I think I have found some very interesting possibilities that I did not believe existed before. So, I think the experience has been positive, not only personally but also professionally and in a business sense."

C.Y. Kao Chairman, Uni-President Enterprises Corp., Taiwan(Food products)
  "I have never been to Korea before and I¡¯m not very familiar with it. I have come to the Hub Korea Forum since I want to know more about, and better understand the Korean investment environment, and to find out what incentives and support are available for foreign business.

  "During this time, it has also been my aim to establish a relationship with the people on the Korean side, such as KOTRA, who can help us."

Michel Maricau President, Asia/Pacific, IEE S.A., Korea Branch(Automotive products
  "The Forum has been interesting first of all to meet all the other guests who were invited to this event, since we may wish to form important business relations with some of these gentlemen in the future. Also, I was quite impressed by the organization of this event, the hospitality of the Korean people and the information given, for example on the tax incentives and the Free Economic Zones. That, of course, is interesting for me and for my company.

  "I think the Korean investment environment is favorable. We have decided to base our Asian headquarters here in Seoul, because we do extremely good business with the Korean automobile industry. For us, the investment that will be made will have nothing to do with production, but rather R&D, design, development and testing.

  "Of course, during the Forum we got to know the Korean people here from KOTRA, and we might need to call upon their help later."