– To Expand Support Services and Improve Investment Conditions

In May 2006, Gyeonggi Province established a supporting office for foreign-invested companies operating in the Hyeongok Foreign-exclusive Industrial Complex in Cheongbuk-myeon of Pyeongtaek City, in order to assist foreign companies working in the area with any difficulties that they might face.

The office was established to hear the various difficulties faced by foreign companies in the region relating to living and business conditions, and then to consult on these issues with the affected parties for their resolution. Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo has long emphasized the need to establish a center that can provide one-stop service for all petitions raised by foreign-invested companies in the region regarding their business activities so as to assist them in stably pursuing their business efforts. To reflect this aim, the supporting office has been renamed the Foreign-invested Company Support Center, and is expected to work expeditiously to improve the investment environment for foreign companies operating in Gyeonggi Province.

Since it was renamed, the center has been proactively engaged in diverse activities. The center recently held an event for foreign CEOs that provided them with an opportunity to enhance their understanding of Korean culture, thus helping them to adapt to life in Korea. The center also plans to hold a Foreign-invested Company Day in the near future, to stimulate further cultural exchanges.

The support center also publishes a newpaper that profiles the various foreign-invested companies in Gyeonggi Province and publicizes all relevant events, laws and systems. Starting from this year, the newspaper will introduce an honorary editorial board system to encourage the participation of foreign employees in its production, thus contributing to the publication of news reports that reflect and improve living conditions for foreign employees in the region.

In addition, a community football field has been built, which has helped to improve the environment for foreign-invested companies. Also, a customized employee training business, which started last year, is also encouraging the participation of foreign-invested company employees. As well, education to prevent sexual harassment is being promoted, free of charge, for employees of foreign companies, a program which has also enjoyed a high participation rate.

Support for the joint social activities of foreign and Korean employees is also being provided. The support center has created three clubs for this purpose.

Club membership includes Telstar-Hommel, Paju Electric Glass, and Takata Korea; employees from these three companies are actively engaged in many club activities including bowling, baseball, and football. Support center head Kim Yong-moon said, “Six complexes exclusively for foreign companies, including the Hyeongok complex within the Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong regions, the Eoyeon and Hansan complex, the Chupal complex, the Poseung complex, and Jangan complexes 1 and 2, are all within a 30-kilometer radius of the center. The center is expected to play a key role in promoting business services for foreign companies.”

He added, “We will place a priority on identifying problems faced by foreign companies in the region, and will work to address them promptly. We will also make efforts to expand business opportunities for foreign companies.” He also noted, “This service system will induce additional investment by foreign companies in the region.”

The support center plans to continuously hold meetings with the staff of foreign companies in each industrial sector, and to promote a closer support service in order to improve conditions for foreign investment. It also plans to systemically carry out efficient support service through various initiatives including the publication of a general survey.