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South Korea: Seoul GREAT Week April 2014

Published 16 April 2014

Seoul GREAT Week from 31 March to 4 April featured the biggest ever UK trade mission to Korea, with 45 participating companies and 69 delegates spread over the week. GREAT week kicked off just as our GREAT Festival, reported separately, came to an end .GREAT Week concentrated on fashion, design and food & drink - the sectors we have identified as having the greatest potential to influence savvy Korean consumers and retailers.

0.1 Fashion

The fashion showcase was held over two days at a leading hotel. We redecorated and revamped the main ballroom: it looked sensational. 25 companies took part and over 350 key contacts from the Korean business and fashion world visited. The showcase featured cutting-edge fashion, footwear and accessories and was well received by Korean buyers. The set-up received unanimous praise with more than one company calling it the best UKTI event they had seen and others noting that it was better than most fashion shows. The fashion companies were also given retail tours, as well as other support.

0.2 Food & Drink

The food and drink showcase was held in a specially constructed pavilion in the Residence garden, with the Residence itself used for VIP meetings. 11 companies took part featuring dairy, water, condiments, beer, wine & spirits and cheeses. Over 130 Korean companies visited the one day event. A lot of attention focused on young Scottish entrepreneur Fraser Doherty (age 25) who founded Superjam at the age of 14. His book has been translated in Korean and he was in demand throughout the week. The companies also took part in our 70 strong VIP “Taste of Britain” dinner for Korean industry, where John Hayes gave the keynote address. The food and drink companies also took part in our GREAT British Beer Festival.

0.3 Design

British companies already do well in the design sector in Korea: companies such as Samsung and LG value UK innovation. Nine companies took part in a design seminar in the Embassy, attended by over 100 people and opened by John Hayes. Companies later visited the newly opened Dongdaemun Design Plaza, designed by British architect Zaha Hadid. John Hayes supported all of the activities, opening our main networking reception.

0.4 Comment

GREAT week along with the GREAT festival have enhanced our reputation in Korea as a creative nation with quality products and services. As an example, Hyundai Department Store have approached us for a cover feature based around products featured during GREAT Week. Companies told us that they had taken orders at the respective showcases with more to follow. We will follow up with them individually. We will also hold smaller scale GREAT events and UK-facing campaigns to keep up the momentum generated by GREAT Week.

0.5 Disclaimer

The purpose of the FCO Country Update(s) for Business (”the Report”) prepared by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is to provide information and related comment to help recipients form their own judgments about making business decisions as to whether to invest or operate in a particular country. The Report’s contents were believed (at the time that the Report was prepared) to be reliable, but no representations or warranties, express or implied, are made or given by UKTI or its parent Departments (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)) as to the accuracy of the Report, its completeness or its suitability for any purpose. In particular, none of the Report’s contents should be construed as advice or solicitation to purchase or sell securities, commodities or any other form of financial instrument. No liability is accepted by UKTI, the FCO or BIS for any loss or damage (whether consequential or otherwise) which may arise out of or in connection with the Report.