By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Seoul Global Center (SGC) is to offer three free courses, in English, to help foreign residents start their own businesses here.

They comprise a 25-hour basics course providing fundamental information on opening a business and understanding Korean business culture; a 15-hour specialized course on the trading and food services industries; and a one-session class on honing skills. Four special sessions on global business manners, revitalizing leadership skills, presentation skills and service empowerment will also be offered.

``This `business start-up college' is aimed at encouraging foreigners to start business in Korea and create more jobs here as well. All courses are composed of practical, useful material,'' an SGC official said. We expect the courses and consulting services to incubate more foreign businesses here.'' He added that the center has already helped Banco do Brasil and nine other foreign investors establish businesses in 2008.

The instructors are experts from KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) in fields such as law, accountancy and labor.

After the basics course, held twice yearly, specialized courses for trade businesses, starting May 30, and one for running restaurants, starting June 13, will be held 4 times yearly.

Each regular course will have a quota of 25 students; and special sessions, 50. The SGC expects some 350 students to complete the courses by the end of the year. Those who do will get post-course, one-stop consultation services from the center.

Applications for the basics course will be screened for start-up plans and participants for the specialized course will be chosen on a first-come-first-served basis.

The courses will be offered free to all foreigners who reside in Seoul and applications will be accepted until a week before the beginning of each course. The classes will run between 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 1-5 p.m. Saturday.

The SGC also provides tailored business consulting services starting Monday. Experts offer counseling on taxation, reporting of foreign currency transactions and legal advice for business operations, labor consultation, real estate leasing among others, on the third floor of Seoul Press Center on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call Seoul Global Center at (02) 2075-4139 or visit its Web site at global.seoul.go.kr.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr