2024-11-01 21:37:00
The 28th World-OKTA Convention, which took place from October 28th to November 1st at the Austria Center Vienna, ended with impressive successes. As part of the convention, the <a href="https://www.archyde.com/korea-calling-world-federation-of-overseas-korean-traders-associations-okta-22-10-2024/" title="Korea calling! | World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (OKTA), 22.10.2024″>Korea Business Expo was held in Europe for the first time and achieved record results.
The goal of many of the hundreds of South Korean companies present was to find an entry into the European market and this was successfully achieved at the two-day Korea Business Expo. The Expo recorded over 4,807 export consultations. A total of 213 memoranda of understanding were signed with a total volume of 246 billion Korean won (around 164 million euros).
Not only were giants like Samsung and LG (which presented its entire product range in Austria for the first time) there with their innovations, but also many predominantly small and medium-sized companies who presented their products and innovations in Europe for the first time at over 450 stands.
At the initiative of World-OKTA Chairman Jong-Bum Park, who founded the Korea Business Expo and is managing director and founder of the Vienna-based Youngsan Group, Korean companies were given a unique platform to present their products and services to an international audience. Jong-Bum Park, who has lived and worked in Austria for decades, has established this successful expo in Vienna as an important bridge between Korean and European companies.
More than 5,000 visitors came to Vienna for this event: including high-ranking Korean government officials and business people, as well as leading buyers. 4,807 export consultations were carried out during the Expo.
At the opening of the Expo, actress Ewa Kasp charmingly led through the event, presented the highlights and provided exciting insights into the diverse offerings. On behalf of World-OKTA, she expressed her heartfelt thanks to the KB Kookmin Bank and the Vienna Tourist Board for their excellent cooperation.
Korean provinces such as Gyeongsangbuk-do offered traditional performances as a cultural highlight that thrilled the guests. Even the governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do and numerous other high-ranking Korean politicians traveled to Vienna to present the special features of South Korea to Europe.
A special highlight was the breathtaking and unforgettable opening performance by the celebrated Korean star ballerina Hyo-Jung Kang, first soloist of the Vienna State Ballet, in the role of the “Dying Swan”. This demanding choreography, which requires utmost precision, extraordinary expressiveness and deep emotion, can only be performed to perfection by the most talented dancers. Hyo-Jung Kang, one of the outstanding dancers of her generation, shone in this difficult role and was recognized with enthusiastic applause from the impressed audience, including prominent guests of honor such as Federal Minister Martin Kocher and former Federal President Heinz Fischer.
Other attractions included K-food, K-beauty and technology presentations. Particularly noteworthy was the presentation of the XCIENT hydrogen truck in collaboration with Hyundai and Samsung SDS, which carries sustainable mobility into the future.
The crowning conclusion of the event was an exclusive concert by the internationally celebrated soprano Sumi Jo in the Vienna Musikverein, which rounded off the conference in an atmospheric way.
More pictures in the APA-Fotogalerie
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**Interview with Jong-Bum Park, Chairman of World-OKTA**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Park. The 28th World-OKTA Convention and the Korea Business Expo seem to have ended on a high note. What were the key highlights of this year’s event?
**Jong-Bum Park:** Thank you for having me. The key highlights of this year’s convention were undoubtedly the record number of export consultations and the signing of memoranda of understanding. We had over 4,807 export consultations and signed 213 MOUs, amounting to 246 billion Korean won. This shows a strong interest from South Korean companies in entering the European market.
**Interviewer:** That sounds impressive! Can you tell us more about the participation of South Korean companies at the expo?
**Jong-Bum Park:** Absolutely. This Expo was significant as it marked the first time the Korea Business Expo was held in Europe. We had a remarkable turnout, with major companies like Samsung and LG showcasing their innovations. However, it was also very encouraging to see many small and medium-sized enterprises participating—over 450 stands represented various sectors, each displaying unique products and services for the first time to the European audience.
**Interviewer:** With so many visitors and exhibitors, what kind of atmosphere was present at the Expo?
**Jong-Bum Park:** The atmosphere was vibrant and full of opportunities. We had more than 5,000 visitors, including high-ranking Korean government officials and influential business leaders. The energy around networking and collaboration was palpable. The opening, hosted by actress Ewa Kasp, really set a positive tone, highlighting the diverse offerings of our exhibitors and the potential for future partnerships.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear about such a successful event. What does this mean for the future of Korean businesses in Europe?
**Jong-Bum Park:** This event has established a solid foundation for Korean businesses to expand into Europe. The successful consultations and MOUs signal a promising pathway for deeper collaboration and trade between Korea and European markets. We aim to continue building on this momentum and making the Korea Business Expo a staple for companies looking to enter this region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Park, for your insights. It sounds like the Korea Business Expo truly bridged the gap between Korean and European markets.
**Jong-Bum Park:** Thank you for having me! We look forward to fostering more connections and innovations in the future.
