Q: Please state the significance of the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, which took place in the first week of October this year.
A: Since 1986 the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) is the most important event for German companies involved in Asian business. The APK is hosted regularly in Asia. The conference offers excellent opportunities to discuss business trends in Asia, exchange experiences and strengthen networks. The 11th APK will be organized by the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad in Asia in co-operation with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). The fact that the KGCCI is responsible for the on-spot organization of the 11th APK is a great honor.
Q: What is your opinion regarding ways to boost economic ties between bilateral companies, in particular in terms of IT collaboration
A: Korea and Germany already share an IT trade volume of US$5.8 billion as of 2006 which is around 27% of the total trade between both countries. Korean companies exported IT products worth US$4.7 billion to Germany in 2006, mainly semiconductors, mobile phones, displays and monitors. In the same year German IT-products worth US$1.1 billion have been imported to Korea. The Korean IT industry continues to offer very good opportunities to German companies selling high-tech machinery and materials. But the trade in the IT field could be more balanced. The problem is not trade barriers but market knowledge. KGGCI offers German companies support on the Korean market in order to close this gap.
Q: What do you expect about the outcome of the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Conference in Seoul
A: We now have more than 520 highlevel participants registered for the 11th APK. We are sure that this APK will be a big success and highlight Korea as a hightech country with a lot of business and investment opportunities as well. The participants will gain practical market information, new insights and hands-on experience.
