Dear Valued Members and Friends,
I am very pleased to announce the publication of the second annual report of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK). The annual report covers our views and progress made “doing business in Korea” in 2019 – another busy and productive period in support of European business in Korea. Considering views and opinions of long-standing members and stakeholders of ECCK, I am pleased to say that, we were able to achieve probably the most successful year for the Chamber. With concerted efforts and hard work by ECCK staffs and valued members and partners, we have made considerable developments in 2019.
In the face of tough economic challenges in 2019, through our member-driven industry committees and working groups, high-level advocacy and business intelligence, the Chamber has continued to provide essential services for European businesses that seek to understand these developments while serving as their voice in Korea. ECCK in all levels, intensified our efforts to promote constructive discussion with the government, support with ideas and experiences, and vitalize the economy and curb the challenges stemming from global uncertainties. More specifically, ECCK has contributed to key government-industry dialogues, hosted an extensive calendar of events, and shared valuable information, services and business opportunities to our members.
In early 2019, ECCK with our fellow foreign chambers have met with President Moon Jae-in, where he acknowledged the importance of foreign investors and welcomed our suggestions from our White Paper on further improving the prosperous business climate in Korea. And following the meeting, for the first time ever, ECCK has received an official written feedback from the relevant government ministries on all issues and recommendations from the 2018’s White Paper. We are proud of the achievement that almost 40% of our suggestions were positively reviewed, partially or fully accepted by the Korean government. Throughout the year, the Chamber has conducted over 180 meetings with the Korean government and 22 meeting with European government abroad to hand over and discuss the key issues in the White Paper. We are very proud of many positive feedbacks received on our professional work of the publication.
Focusing on further consolidating our government relations in Europe, we have conducted our third successful delegation trip to Brussels and Geneva in November 2019. The delegates have met high-level officials, advisors – including both current and former EU Commissioners for Trade Phil Hogan and Cecilia Malmström as well as head of cabinets, director generals, heads of Korean diplomatic and business delegations, to present our latest edition of White Paper and discuss opportunities and challenges that European businesses face in Korea. The visit was to stress to European leaders that importance of high-level engagement with Korea in the context of a changing international business environment.
The Chamber’s media profile enjoyed another great coverage in 2019 – deriving mostly from the growing attention on our White Paper – further solidifying our role as one of the key commentators on Korea’s regulatory environment. The media outlets that decision makers follow the closest continued to look to us for analysis of Korea’s business and regulatory environment, and we delivered messages from our key publication to the Korean authorities and the public at large. As a result, the Chamber’s position was even referenced in the Blue House official press release and quoted by government officials in their answers to questions from reporters during media briefings.
The Chamber also continued to further refine our digital services throughout the year. From 2019, we have decided to turn ECCK Connect, our quarterly magazine, to digital which have received many positive feedbacks on its more engaging and interactive reading experience, more sophisticated look as well as its stability and sustainability by moving away from print. Also, the Chamber continued to increase our presence on social media with growing number of followers and web visitors every year.
With the strong foundation of commercial and investment partnership between Europe and Korea, the ECCK will continue to raise the difficult issues with the Korean government in the future, actively engaging in ongoing dialogue with the related authorities about the business climate, transparency, and necessity of reforms in various sectors of the economy. ECCK will continue to build value for our members with focus on better representing the business community concerns in Korea. We will be working closely with governments to both shed light on the areas where our members have identified a need for change, develop initiatives which will promote economic development and instigate innovation and creativity for Korea. ECCK is in great shape to keep building in the years to come. We can confidently look forward to the continuing success of the Chamber.
Dimitris Psillakis
Chairperson
European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK)
Message from Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea
