Korean Firms Big Employers in Poland
By Kim Sue-young
Staff reporter
The speaker of the Polish parliament has said South Korean companies will become one of the biggest employers in Poland.
``Nowadays, Korea and Koreans are known through their companies that invest in Poland such as Daewoo and LG Philips,'' Ludwik Dorn, speaker of the Polish Sejm, said in an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. ``Korean companies will probably become the biggest employers in the private sector in our country. Korean brands are well-known in Poland." He left Seoul Thursday, after ending a four-day visit.
He said Polish consumers are sometimes hesitant, not reluctant, to buy new products from the Far East but Korean brands are not included in this. ``Korean brands, in other words, are very well-known and appreciated.''
According to the Polish Embassy in Seoul, Korea is a major trading partner and the largest Asian investor in the East European country.
Stressing that Poland has become an important country in the European Union, Dorn said it is a very good place to locate businesses for further expanding inroads into, or selling to, European markets.
``I believe that we, Poland and Korea, are now facing a huge opportunity for the further development of our economic relations,'' he said.
Besides, Korea is well known as a country that has probably made the biggest civilization leap forward in the 20th century, Dorn added.
During his stay, he visited the National Assembly, Cheong Wa Dae and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He said he was greatly impressed by the level of Korea's information-technology (IT) development and computerization, at the Assembly.
The Assembly introduced an electronic system in 2005, which enables lawmakers to see bills and vote on them, through individual computerized screens.
While explaining his core mission was to discuss ways of boosting economic and political ties with Korea, Dorn said he was impressed by Korean legislators' vast knowledge of Polish affairs and history.
Their knowledge and interest in Poland make the close relations between the two countries possible, despite the big geographical distance, he said.
Dorn said there is a cliche that Europeans find it difficult to communicate with Asian people and vice versa. ``I don't know where this came from but it is definitely not true in the context of Korea and Poland.''
He said the Polish government is currently focusing on building roads as a top priority. ``Over the next five years, the European country will be a huge construction site."
``So we are seeking economic or business contacts worldwide and I believe that we will be able to get rid of the barrier that is halting or slowing down investment in Poland,'' he said. ``The barrier is the current poor state of our roads.''