Promising European SMEs and Startups Come to Korea... 'EU Business Hub' Held

The 'EU Business Hub,' which supports the expansion of exchanges between European SMEs and startups and the Korean market, will be held. Through B2B (business-to-business) matching, it provides global business opportunities for Korean companies and supports European companies in entering the Korean market.

On the 7th, the Delegation of the European Union to Korea held a press briefing at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, announcing the launch of the 'EU Business Hub' program.

Maria Castillo Fernandez, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Korea, is delivering a welcome speech on the 7th.
[Photo by Oh Su-yeon]

Maria Castillo Fernandez, Head of the EU Delegation to Korea, said, "Strengthening trade and economic partnerships is at the core of our policy," adding, "To enhance Europe's competitiveness and trade, business internationalization, resilient supply chains, and cooperation with partners are essential." She also stated, "The EU Business Hub establishes a platform that helps European SMEs and startups explore new business and cooperation opportunities in Korea, form partnerships, and understand the local business culture," and "It will also provide Korean companies with networking opportunities with global partners, creating a venue to encounter Europe's cutting-edge technologies."

Following this, Sebastian van der Peijl and Jaeho Lee, team leaders of the EU Business Hub, introduced the program. The EU Business Hub is an EU industrial cooperation program that connects European and Korean companies in the fields of ▲digital solutions ▲healthcare and medical devices ▲green low-carbon technologies. Over the next four years, ten business missions will be conducted in Korea, with 50 European companies possessing expertise in each field participating in each mission. By 2027, a total of 500 European companies will visit Korea.

The business missions consist of programs such as guest lectures, study tours featuring case studies of domestic large corporations, and B2B matching through exhibition consultation meetings. Additionally, various benefits such as strategic coaching, logistics and accommodation support, and customized services are provided to participating companies. Korean companies can also establish practical cooperative relationships with reliable European companies through the exhibition consultation meetings.

The first exhibition consultation meeting of the EU Business Hub, 'Digital Solutions Korea 2024,' will be held on December 3, 5, and 6 at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel.

Walter van Hattum, Minister-Counselor of the EU Delegation to Korea, said, "Korea has strengths in digital, healthcare, and eco-friendly sectors, and especially as a world-leading ICT and digital powerhouse, significant participation in cooperation with the EU is expected," adding, "How cooperation between the EU and Korea proceeds will determine how well we prepare for the next century. Bilateral cooperation will deepen further."