To view the programme, click here.

Van Dusseldorp & Partners organised an invitation-only, business development day on April 25th in Prague. The event was sponsored by the South Korean government with the purpose of encouraging business ties between South Korean telecommunications, wireless, mobile, broadband and software companies and those in Central and Eastern Europe.

The government of South Korea is interested in establishing the Czech Republic as a business gateway into the Central and European IT market.

Attendance was free for relevant companies.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE BUSINESS TIES WITH SOUTH KOREAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES?

“The Economist” has reported that South Korea is one of the world’s most technologically-advanced nations, with high rates of broadband and wireless usage. Approximately 24.5 million South Koreans (50% of the population) regularly use the Internet and 11 million are broadband subscribers. The country has 32 million mobile subscribers and almost half of these use data services. Streaming audio and video, picture messaging, email and video on demand are popular services among Internet and mobile phone users. South Korea claims that it was the first country to launch 3G phone services.

According to IDC, South Korea has overtaken the US in generating a significant proportion of its income from IT technologies: in 2001, IT industries contributed 13.5% of South Korea’s GDP compared with 8.5% in the US.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DAY

Representatives of South Korea's leading technology companies did meet with local companies to discuss business development opportunities: solutions and software sales, reseller and distribution agreements, system integration services and technology alliances.

English was the event's official language and translation services were provided for the South Koreans.

Morning Programme

In the morning, South Korea's Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. Dae-Jae Chin, delivered a presentation on the main telecommunications and Internet developments taking place in his country and opportunities for alliances with Central and Eastern European technology companies. His presentation was followed by IT industry presentations by both the South Korean and Czech governments. The South Korean technology companies gave corporate presentations. Coffee breaks and a buffet lunch were provided.

Afternoon Programme

In the afternoon, local companies were be able to hold a series of one-on-one meetings between South Korean and local companies to discuss specific business opportunities and alliances.

SOUTH KOREAN DELEGATION

Senior executives from the following South Korean technology companies were present:

1.Samsung Electronics - telecommunication systems, electronic home devices

2. Hyundai Information Technology Co - software developer, system integrator

3. Spire Technology - telecommunication solutions provider (wireless network optimization, messaging gateway, mobile downloads)

4. NeoEdu - eSolutions vendor (e-learning, e-publishing and e-government)

5. Innodigm - Web development (Internet and intranet sites, multimedia, broadband)

6. Unimo Technology - digital security software and equipment (CCTV, Web cameras, wireless security equipment)

7. Magic Castle - virtual private networks (VPNs), firewalls and virus protection

8. Medialand - desktop management software solutions

9. Shotech - customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, online advertising and online marketing