The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea has had a very fruitful and productive year and it looks forward to further strengthening EU-Korea business ties in 2011.

This year has been a landmark year for ties between the European Union and South Korea, with both sides strengthening their economic and cultural relations. The icing on the cake was undoubtedly the Free Trade Agreement signed on October 6, 2010. After intense negotiations for over two years, the deal was implemented on July 1, heralding the dawn of a new partnership.

The Chamber proudly presented the Korea-EU Awards 2011, on the occasion of Korea-EU Industrial Cooperation Day on November 22.

Since they were first held in 2006 to honor EU companies and government authorities, the awards have grown in stature and reputation. They signify not just our recognition of the important role played by European companies and government authorities, but also our commitment to building bridges between both sides. Europe and Korea have always had a strong business relationship, and this will only get better in the years to come.

The following is a brief introduction of the award winners and the reasons they have been chosen by the Selection Committee.


Awards for Government Authorities

In order to show their appreciation to the government authorities, who have been cooperating with foreign investors, the Chamber has instituted four awards –- Globalized Partner, Efficient Partner, Responsible Partner and Local Government Partner.



Globalized Partner

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs wins the Globalized Partner Award 2011, received by Land and Transport Minister Kwon Do-youp. The ministry has made consistent endeavors to strengthen the global competitiveness of its construction and maritime industries. As a result, as of 2010, Korea successfully received overseas construction orders worth of $70 billion in the construction sector, while making a leap to become the world’s 5th maritime power. In addition, it contributed to enhancing national prestige by achieving the world’s best aviation safety and airport service as Korea ranked 1st in the international aviation safety assessment and Incheon International Airport was selected as the best airport for five consecutive years in the annual Airport Service Quality Awards. The ministry has held profound discussions with EUCCK on real estate systems and their operation on a regular basis through the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Advisory Board Meeting. The ministry expects further constructive mutual cooperation with EUCCK in a wider range of areas. 



Responsible Partner:

The Responsible Partner Award 2011 goes to President Song Jong-ho of the Small and Medium Business Corporation. He has made a significant contribution to introducing inclusive growth based on a win-win partnership by offering practical solutions to the challenges faced by SMEs. His efforts also led to more globally competitive SMEs by way of global market penetration services. With the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement implemented on July 1st , 2011, SBC launched the so-called “FTA Doctor Project” to help 800 SMEs take full advantage of the new agreement by running a exporter certification and origin assurance program. In addition, a European market penetration seminar and matchmaking event was held, facilitating the bilateral trade. These events proved to be a valuable opportunity for European and Korean companies to share and cooperate. 



Responsible Partner:


The 2011 Responsible Partner Award was given to Mr. Gwak Bum-gook, Director General of Food Industry Policy Bureau in the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Mr. Gwak has made great contributions in promoting exchanges in the food industry between Korea and the EU. He has strived to strengthen ties with European food companies and the related authorities in the course of developing Korea National Food Cluster (Foodpolis) and promoting Korean cuisine around the world (Globalization of Hansik).

The Korean government has significantly contributed to fostering an environment conducive to mutual investment by participating in SIAL Fair, France and Anuga Exhibition, Germany. It has actively pursued exchanges and cooperative activities with the EU through signing an LOI with VITAGORA, a food cluster in France and an MOU with Danish Technological Institute. In addition to this, the Korean government has recently appointed the president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea as an honorary ambassador for Korean cuisine, further enhancing exchanges between the two sides. 

Efficient Partner:

Mr. Yoon Seung-joon, President of Korea Environmental Technology & Industry Institute, is the proud recipient of Efficient Partner Award for this year. KEITI is a quasi-governmental organization conducting holistic one-stop services which vary from research and development to export assistance and nurturing green industries. Mr. Yoon, after taking his presidential position in August, was instrumental in organizing the “1st Korea-EU Environment Experts Forum” which vitalized discussion on the national private-public cooperation model, and contributed to establishing a concrete foundation for technology-sharing among Korea and European countries.

Setting the forum as a milestone for national green-market expansion, KEITI, also published a guidebook to attract more foreign investors into the domestic market. In addition, he supported information sharing in the green business area and establishment of green partnership among Korea and European countries by holding the “Central Eastern Europe Green Partnership Forum” with experts from environment-related government offices as well as green companies from Central Eastern Europe such as Czech and Romania. 



Efficient Partner: 


The 2011 Efficient Partner Award goes to Mr. Kim Byung-soo, Director General of the Foreign Investor Support Office of Invest KOREA. During his term as the Director of the Investment Policy Division at the Ministry of Knowledge Economy in 2009, he abolished the minimum investment amount requirement for receiving cash grants, reduced rent for foreign-invested R&D buildings and tourism facilities such as condominiums, and exempted rent for foreign investors in parts and materials complexes. In 2011, while working as the Director General of the IK Foreign Investment Support Office, he facilitated investment cooperation between foreign investors and the Korean government by providing on-site consultations and administrative assistance in areas such as incentives, site selection, taxation, labor, visa issuance, and business registration. In particular, he actively negotiated with central and local governments so that EU companies (Sweden’s Höganäs and Scania, the UK‘s Edwards Korea, France’s Faurecia and Hutchinson, Germany’s Lanxess, etc.) and other foreign invested companies can find suitable factory sites and do successful business in Korea. 



Local Partner:

Gwangju Metropolitan City is the recipient of the 2011 Local Partner Award. Since Mr. Kang Un-tae took office as Mayor in July 2010, Gwangju has succeeded in attracting foreign investment from Arneg from Italy, iQ Power AG from Germany, and Grundfos from Denmark, through its great efforts to induce FDIs. In addition, Gwangju established MOUs for investment reaching up to $1 billion with 35 companies in foreign countries. It is expected the number of companies will increase in the years to come.

Starting from 2010, the delegation of Gwangju visited Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and held an economic seminar and gave a special performance titled “Jasmine.” The two cities will continuously expand mutual collaboration in culture, arts and the economy.

As a result of Gwangju’s aggressive efforts resulting in foreign investment, the EUCCK awarded Gwangju Metropolitan City with its 2011 Local Government Partner Award.



Awards for EU Companies

As much as the European Union has been Korea’s largest source of foreign direct investment, European companies here have also been on top in giving back to society, making them even more valuable investors here.

Such efforts and dynamism have undoubtedly helped to strengthen the relationship between the EU and Korea.

In appreciation of their contribution, the EUCCK has established special awards. They cover four categories: Leading Investor, Social Benefactor, Green Pioneer and SME Star.



Leading Investor:  

The selection committee chose Edwards Korea as the recipient of the Leading Investor Award. Edwards has nearly 100 years of experience in supplying essential vacuum systems and related products. It serves the world’s most advanced industries including semiconductor, flat panel display, solar, chemical, pharmaceutical, metallurgical, analytical instrumentation and research and development. Edwards, on May 30, 2011, opened its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Korea to serve its Korean and other global customers.

The facility will be an important hub for the company’s growing range of high-quality dry vacuum pumps and systems for the most demanding of processes in the semiconductor, LCD, solar, LED and flat panel display markets and it boasts the latest manufacturing equipment to assure product quality, together with lean manufacturing techniques to reduce production times and a range of sophisticated energy saving features. 



Green Pioneer: 

Groz Beckert Korea was the proud recipient of the Green Poineer Award. Groz-Beckert was founded in 1852. The Group has approx. 7,000 employees worldwide, with a turnover of more than 500 million euro. The headquarters are located in Germany with 2,000 employees. Groz-Beckert Korea was established in 1999, to serve and support the Korean textile market.

Sustainability and energy efficiency is a part of the global company policy. The increase of machine efficiency, reduction of energy wastage and CO2 emissions are targets that can be reached with our products. The latest development of the innovative litespeed needle is giving to the Korean customers an energy saving of up to 20 percent. Only a simple replacement of the existing traditional knitting needles with the new needle generation litespeed is required –- no further adjustments or modifications are needed. The savings for the Korean market are outstanding. Considering the total market, a potential saving in CO2-Emmission of 10,500 tons can be reached, equal to approx. 9,000 medium sized cars driving 10,000 km per year.



Social Benefactor: 

BMW Korea bags this year’s Social Benefactor Award. As a leading automobile brand, BMW Group Korea has been committed to improving the Korean automobile culture and industry. BMW Group Korea hosted traffic safety campaigns, provided Industry-academy support, science education program, and other outreach programs. These programs have paved the road for lasting developments in Korea.

In 2011, BMW Group Korea took another step forward by establishing a non-profit foundation, BMW Korea Future Fund. The foundation promotes eco-friendly culture, provides assistance for those in need, and improves Korea-EU relations.

Over the last 16 years, BMW Group Korea has helped bridge the economic, cultural and social gap between Korea and the EU. Through our newly established foundation, we will continue to act as the bridge for Korea-EU relations. 


SME Star: 

Marposs Co. Ltd. is the recipient of the 2011 SME Star Award. Established in 1986, Marposs Co. Ltd. is the Korean branch of the Marposs Group based in Bologna, Italy, and a world leader for standard and custom metrology solutions. Marposs is actively involved in automotive, aerospace, IT and consumer electronics industries, as well as medical and solar energy fields to provide the best possible gauging solution and support. Marposs’ Korean operations mark in 2011 their 25th anniversary with an organization of over 65 employees in 5 locations nationwide, including a manufacturing facility in Incheon, to combine the high quality of Marposs brand with the flexibility of a local partner.

The EUCCK has decided to present Marposs Co. Ltd. with this award in recognition of the long-term involvement in Korea, a clear sign of its commitment to this market and this Country as European investor.


Art & Culture Synergy:

Starting this year, a new category of award has been introduced, focused on culture. The selection committee has recognized K-pop as the bridge between EU and Korea and chosen SM Entertainment to receive the Art & Culture Synergy Award.

S.M. Entertainment is a leading entertainment and media group, operating businesses in the fields of music planning, production, distribution, licensing, publishing, and talent management. S.M. Entertainment was the first Korean entertainment company to be listed on the KOSDAQ in April, 2000, and has the largest market share in the Korean music industry.

Lee, Soo Man, founder and producer of S.M. Entertainment, leads the worldwide K-pop “Korean Wave” in Europe by producing global stars such as BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, and f(x). Lee provides a valuable contribution towards Korean publicity in Europe by showcasing the superiority of Korean pop culture through “SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR in Paris.”