Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority Discusses Cooperation with German BVMID Delegation

“Gateway for European SMEs Entering Asia”

The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority (BJFEZ), led by Commissioner Park Sungho, is emerging as a base for German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to enter the Asian market.

On June 16, BJFEZ held a meeting with a delegation from the German Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMID) to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and expand mutual investment and exchanges.

The authority reported that these discussions took place.

This visit was initiated as BVMID (Bundesvereinigung Mittelstand in Deutschland), which represents about 700 German SMEs, sought a cooperation base in Korea as part of its strategy to enter the Asian market. Commissioner Park Sungho and key executives of BJFEZ personally welcomed the delegation.

The meeting began at the BJFEZ’s first-floor promotional hall, where the authority introduced its policy directions and key development achievements. This was followed by a tour of the Busan Port Authority (BPA) New Port promotional hall, showcasing the country’s leading integrated logistics hub infrastructure.

BVMID is a private economic organization headquartered in Munich, Germany, and serves as a core institution supporting the overseas expansion of German-style SMEs known as "Mittelstand." It acts as a growth platform for SMEs that drive the European economy based on technological strength and stability.

The delegation included Sonja Konert-Weiss, BVMID ambassador, the CEO of VECTOR, an automotive software company, the head of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK), and other experts from various fields. They engaged in in-depth discussions about industry-specific cooperation needs and the actual potential for investment.

In his welcoming address, Commissioner Park Sungho stated, "The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone offers an optimal location for European SMEs aiming to enter Asia, as it is equipped with a Tri-Port-based integrated logistics infrastructure connecting sea, air, and rail. I hope this visit will serve as a turning point for creating a collaborative ecosystem with European SMEs as part of our global strategy."

BJFEZ plans to continue working-level consultations to ensure that this exchange leads to tangible investments by European companies, rather than being a one-time visit. Previously, BJFEZ has been steadily expanding its global investment base through cooperation with organizations such as the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK), the Consulate General of Japan in Korea, and the Americas MBA Network.

A BJFEZ official stated, "As part of the 'Busan-Jinhae-Europe Linked Global Network' strategy, our goal is to attract European-style SMEs and secure technology cooperation models," adding, "We will focus on strengthening the competitiveness of local industries and securing new growth engines."