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Asia
Pacific Electronics Business Association (APEBA) leads successful
mission to South Korea
In March 2003, APEBA’s David Shephard led a Mobile
Communications focused mission of nine companies to South Korea.
The result was a successful mission, one that APEBA hopes to
repeat elsewhere in the Asia Pacific this year.
Launched on the 28th November
2002 by Nigel Griffiths, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for
Small Business, APEBA helps electronics and high technology
suppliers to win and sustain business with Asia Pacific
electronics manufacturers through an industry led, and government
supported, approach towards trade development between the UK and
the Asia Pacific region. APEBA replaces the Japan Electronics
Business Association (JEBA) and the Pacific Rim Electronics
Business Association (PREBA).
The objectives of the participating companies varied, but
overall they wanted to gain a better understanding of the Korean
wireless market. Mission attendees wanted to promote their latest
products and services, seeking collaborations, partnerships,
licensees and design-in opportunities. This mission was also seen
as a chance to get feedback on future products to develop.
The visit programme took the companies to the R&D centres
and head offices of nine mobile operators and handset
manufacturers, where they met relevant senior members of staff.
The complementary nature of the mission party’s products and
services, with a minimal overlap in their offerings, ensured that
company visits were non-competitive and that the mission
participants were able to network amongst themselves. There was
also time in the programme for companies to arrange their own
meetings with existing contacts.
Most of the companies visited were situated in and around
Seoul, Ichon and Sewon. They were: Maxon Telecom Co Ltd, LG
Electronics R&D Complex, Korea Telecom Freetel, Hyundai
Syscomm Inc, Samsung Electronics Telecommunication R&D Centre,
SK Telecom, SK Teletech, Pantech & Curitel and Telson
Electronics Co Ltd.
Erring Erlingsson from Antenova said “As a general comment
I’d like to say that I think missions like this one are very
useful, especially for small companies looking to move into new
markets and I would not hesitate to join another one.”
Alex Lloyd of UbiNetics commented, “The positives include
a very focussed and relevant programme of company visits and high
level of contacts achieved in the companies visited.”
A seminar took place on 4th March at the British
Embassy in Seoul. Opened by Charles Humfrey, Ambassador, and
chaired by Dr Jim Thomson, Head of Science, Technology &
Environment section, the title and theme was “UK’s Leading
Wireless Technology”. Attendance was exceptional, with 110
personnel from business, government, trade associations,
universities and press.
The companies gained worthwhile introductions, and post mission
all have business opportunities to pursue resulting from contacts
made and reinforced during the mission. All companies are
currently engaged in the follow up process.
The APEBA programme includes missions to, and exhibitions in,
China, Japan and South Korea. For more information on the
association and its programme, please go to http://www.apeba.org,
or contact the secretariat on:
Tel: 020 7215 8054
Email: admin@apeba.org
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