I was looking at my diary for the coming weeks and, apart from being horrendously busy as usual, I checked out an event that is coming up on 24 March that I’d like to chat about.
We have an event called “South Korea – Open for Business” at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton from 10.00 to 13.00. My old friend Cliff Bebb, now Trade Manager in Seoul, will be speaking along with a number of other really knowledgeable experts on the opportunities in South Korea.
Now, I first came across Cliff in Dhaka, Bangladesh, then Chongqing, China and now Seoul. He’s a brilliant commercial officer and I have the utmost respect for how he works tirelessly on behalf of British business to open doors and to ensure that opportunities are capitalised upon. He’s indicative of the hundreds of staff we have around the world who are focused on getting opportunies to British firms, and helping them to make their mark in what are often very different cultures and business landscapes.
I also thought about the job he has do to now in South Korea and we really do need to get firms to take a good look at what’s on offer there. The country is the 13th biggest economy in the world. Just 40 years ago its GDP per capita was very low, and drew comparisons with some of the poorer African nations, now it’s just under $30,000 putting it slightly below Japan, UK and the EU average. Amazing progress in such a short time. The new EU - South Korea Free Trade Agreement creates a potential benefit for UK firms of up to £500m and we urge companies to explore the possibilities.
I love visiting South Korea, it’s a fantastic vibrant country. You should try a Korean barbecue with some soju (rice spirit) and some kimchi (Korea’s fantastic spicy pickled cabbage).
My name is perfect for people speaking another language to a) remember and b) to have a bit of fun with. In Korea my friends call me Mr DrinkSoju. I’ll tell you what my friends in other parts of the world call me in another blog.