The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Mon, August 8, 2022 | 06:23
Retail & Food
El Salvadoran CAISA chief vows to tap Cuba, N. Korea
Posted : 2017-09-28 13:28
Updated : 2017-09-28 17:47
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
El Salvadoran CAISA Group Chairman David Ha poses during the 2017 World Korean Community Leaders' Gathering event held at the K-Hotel, Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap
El Salvadoran CAISA Group Chairman David Ha poses during the 2017 World Korean Community Leaders' Gathering event held at the K-Hotel, Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Jhoo Dong-chan


El Salvadoran CAISA Group Chairman David Ha said he aims to enter the Cuban and North Korea markets despite their political uncertainties.

Heading El-Salvador-based CAISA Group with 25 affiliates in Nicaragua, Honduras, Vietnam and the United States, Ha said he discovered his business opportunities from travel.

"You should move around continuously to find business opportunities. Especially, Koreans should become nomads," Ha said.

"If you find and actively invest in a certain business for five years in a country, you will understand local business culture. You will also become a business expert if you spend another five years in the country."

Ha's CAISA Group operates various business operations, including textiles, coffee and packaging, to record annual sales of around 350 billion won ($307 million). Depending heavily on the export of textiles, El Salvador highly values CAISA Group.

Thanks to CAISA Group's successful export of textiles and its economic contribution to El Salvador, Ha recently received the title of "Noble Amigo De El Salvador," the highest award a foreigner can receive from the country. He was the second Korean to receive the honor after former U.N. Security General Ban Ki-moon.

He has also been heading the country's Korean community for six years.

"I often tell Korean youngsters that they should get out and travel and look for opportunities. Nothing will happen if you duck inside your room," Ha said.

His enthusiasm for business he attributes to his background.

Ha moved to Los Angeles with his mother when he was 10. He learned sewing from her and started related businesses after graduating from college.

Ha went El Salvador in 1996 and two years later the country went through a civil war. Despite the unstable political situation, Ha considered it an opportunity, and he has gained enormous business success. CAISA Group is now a big company in El Salvador employing about 6,000 workers.

Ha said he now aims to enter into the Cuban and North Korean markets.

Cuba has already started allowing foreign investments and is letting international companies run businesses in the country. Ha said North Korea is still a "closed-door" country for business, but it has a great deal of potential if it opens the door for foreign businesspeople.







Emailjhoo@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Citizens excited about refurbished Gwanghwamun Square
  • DSME hit with $970-million lawsuit from Japanese oil company
  • The fate of Sontag Hotel
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Taiwan is part of China,' says Chinese ambassador
  • Hyundai aims to develop own automotive semiconductors
  • Gov't considers slashing tariffs on imported produce ahead of Chuseok
  • KAI, Hanwha, SK, Hyundai Rotem contribute to Danuri project
  • 'Gov't should help manufacturers digitize fast to overcome global supply chain risks'
  • Woori Bank to invest $7.7 million in 10 promising startups
  • Envoy wary of creating Asian version of NATO
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
    • Brad Pitt to visit Korea to promote new film 'Bullet Train' Brad Pitt to visit Korea to promote new film 'Bullet Train'
    • [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo-sung was initially hesitant to take on role in 'Hunt' [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo-sung was initially hesitant to take on role in 'Hunt'
    • Hallyu research should be conducted beyond Korean perspective: scholars Hallyu research should be conducted beyond Korean perspective: scholars
    • 'The Red Sleeve' director debuts new thriller 'The Red Sleeve' director debuts new thriller
    • OTT platforms struggle amid declining number of users OTT platforms struggle amid declining number of users
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group