Investing in South Korea
 

One of the goals of KOTRA is to promote Foreign Direct Investment in South Korea. This is done by the Invest Korea division.

About Invest Korea
 

In 1998 the predecessor of Invest Korea, Korea Investment Services Center, was established. This was part of a radical liberalization of the Korean investment regime. In 2003 Korea Investment Services Center was transformed into Invest Korea, with a more pro-active approach, focusing on key industries and offering a one-stop-shop service for the needs of foreign investors.

Our services

Invest Korea provides a number of services for foreign investors which are free of charge. For instance, we can help in providing information on the Korean market, identifying possible partners and setting up contacts. Later, when the decision has been made to set up a subsidiary in Korea, we can also guide you through the necessary steps to complete the process.

Why invest in Korea?
 

Korea has shown economic strength in developing the economy and continues to report high growth. The Korean economy profits from a well educated work-force, good infrastructure and a strong legal structure that is welcoming to foreign companies. These factors also make Korea a good place for foreign companies to invest in. Particularly interesting sectors for Dutch companies to invest in are Green Growth, Logistics and Chemicals. Below these will be explained in further detail.

Korea has ambitious plans to realize a "Green Growth" strategy. Part of this plan includes investing 2% of GDP annually in Green Growth initiatives. Especially promising sectors are Windpower and Smart-Grids.

Korea is an ideal location to set up a logistical hub. The vicinity of both China and Japan, excellent (air)ports and an extensive network of Free Trade Agreements are some important factors to consider. The Free Trade Agreement with the EU came into being in 2011, creating even more opportunities.

Chemicals are one of the most important export items in South Korea. With a well developed industry and an important Chemical Port in Ulsan there are many opportunities for cooperation between Korea and the Netherlands.

Examples
 

Examples of the companies we helped to set up activities in South Korea include ASML and Sigma. ASML was looking for a place to relocate their global distribution center. Invest Korea formed a team with Incheon Airport, Tax Authorities, customs and a number of ministries to accommodate the specific needs of ASML. One of the results was easier regulation for re-exportation which is important for ASML.

For Sigma we helped them identify a beneficial subsidy program in their joint-venture with Samsung. Which lead to an R&D facility where part of the salary costs were subsidized by the Korean Government.

If you are considering to invest in South Korea or North-East Asia please do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to assist you and provide you with the necessary information to make a well informed decision. In many cases Korea can also be a very good bridgehead to other Asian countries like China or Japan.

Also, our international website www.investkorea.org is a great source of information for companies looking to invest in Korea.