Nottingham trade event set to put South Korea on export map

NOTTS companies are being invited to an event promoting business opportunities in South Korea.

The Open for Business event has been organised by the East Midlands International Trade Association (Emita), and will be held on Thursday. It will highlight opportunities proposed through the new EU-Korea free trade agreement.

There will be three high-profile speakers at the breakfast seminar, including experts from the British Embassy in Seoul.

Clifford Bebb, head of trade in Seoul with 20 years of experience in UK Trade and Investment, will be talking about the benefits of the free trade agreement. Mikie Park, trade manager responsible for the design and consumer goods sector in UKTI Seoul, and Kyung-ah Lee, trade officer in clothing, fashion and footwear from the British Embassy, will be talking about doing business in Korea.

The event will take place at the East Midlands Development Agency's headquarters off Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, and speakers will talk about current trading conditions, how to connect with Korean partners – and the dos and don'ts of business culture in Korea.

Juliet Pask of Emita said the event would be a great chance for companies to get involved in a new, emerging market.

She said: "The country is eager to reduce its dependence on the US and Japan and is increasingly looking to Europe as a source of imports.

"At the seminar, tips and advice will also be offered from a local company on how they are already achieving success in the Korean market.

"Delegates will also receive a free copy of the recently commissioned UKTI report on the significant opportunities that the free trade agreement brings."

One-to-one meetings with embassy experts will be available after the seminar.

The event begins at 7.45am, and ends at 10am. Places are free for Emita members or £45 plus VAT for no- members. For more information, or to book a place, contact 0115 947 1767 or email emita@emd.org.uk