Business mission to South Korea

Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) co-organizes the business-academic mission in South Korea which took place from May 12 - 15, 2024 in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic and the Embassy of the SR in Seoul. The mission took place as part of the official visit of Juraj Blanár, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic to Korea offering a unique opportunity for Slovak business entities and educational institutions to present their services, products, and establish valuable contacts on the South Korean market. Part of the minister's official program was also the opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic in the City of Ulsan. 

The program consisted of two business forums. The first forum was held at the Slovak Embassy in Seoul, and officially opened by Rastislav Chovanec, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the SR.  The program started with a presentation by the SARIO agency presenting Slovakia as an attractive investment destination. This was followed by presentations by representatives of Eximbanka SR and selected Slovak and Korean entrepreneurs. The event continued with more than 40 B2B meetings.   

After lunch, the delegation of entrepreneurs moved to the Korean Chamber of Commerce KCCI, where the Slovak side listened to a presentation on the business environment in the Republic of Korea. The end of the day was a visit to the largest exhibition center in South Korea - COEX and a joint dinner of the delegation with Minister Blanár. 

The academic part of the delegation had a unique opportunity to meet the management of one of the three most prestigious universities in the country, Yonsei University (Ranked 76th in the world). The previous activities of SARIO and the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Seoul have already resulted in the exchange of doctoral students between Yonsei and STU BA universities. 

On the second day, the delegation flew to the industrial city of Ulsan, where another business forum was held.   The program took place in Technopark, the center of technological innovation. It included presentations by SARIO, Korean technology companies, and more than 30 business meetings. 

In the afternoon, the entire delegation moved to Hyundai's largest car factory, where the participants had the opportunity to see the plant's production facilities and meet the company's top management. Most of the delegation returned back to Seoul. The second part completed an aftercare meeting at Hyundai WIA in Changwon. 

17 Slovak businessmen from different sectors and seven representatives of the academic community participated in the business mission.