By Kang Seung-woo
Local major companies have rolled up their sleeves to capitalize on the upcoming G20 Business Summit. They are seeking to use this global gathering as a chance to enhance the global network and improve their corporate image, as their CEOs will participate in discussions at the global conference with high-profile executives from around the world.
In addition, they will make a full-strength effort to take advantage of the global public relations (PR) stage for their products during the summit, seen as the largest international event Korea has ever hosted.
The G20 Business Summit, scheduled to start on Nov. 10 for a two-day run in Seoul, one day ahead of the beginning of the two-day G20 Seoul Summit, was designed by the Korean government to ensure a more sustainable economic recovery and future growth by having business leaders participate in the G20 process.
The agenda of the large-scale gathering of global CEOs will be divided into four main topics of jolting trade activity and investment; stabilizing financial systems; achieving “green” growth; and encouraging corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The roundtable discussions will be followed by direct exchanges between business leaders and G20 political leaders. Also to be discussed is establishing the global business summit as a permanent part for future G20 summits, according to the organizers.
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has been the host country’s lone convener on the topic of “Reducing cost of renewable energy” under the green growth session at the summit. SK expects to see its image of global management elevate through Chey’s role at the summit
Among those who will be present at the meeting is Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee, the biggest influential figure in the Korean business circle.
Samsung plans to take advantage of its advanced technology and vision in the territory of green growth. Vice Chairman Lee Yoon-woo will accompany his boss in the session.
Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo will be at the trade/investment session, while Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Chairman Min Keh-sik plans to join the discussion on green jobs.
HHI, a leading player in new renewable energy, will shed light on past achievements, making the most of its brilliant title, and underline its current status and future vision.
Park Yong-hyun, Doosan Group chairman, is one of the debaters in the discussion on healthcare and Africa in the corporate social responsibilities (CSR) session, and he will focus on Korea’s role in the development process of advancing countries based on its history of turning from an aid recipient to a donor country in less than half a century.
Lotte Group Vice Chairman Shin Dong-bin, assigned to the CSR session, will opine on youth unemployment, while Hanhwa Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn will discuss funding infrastructure, natural resources, technology and R&D in the finance session.
Hyundai Motor will offer about 170 vehicles, including Equus limousines.
The luxurious sedan is the official car of the G20 Seoul Summit, to be provided to the heads of attending states.
Thanks to the selection, the nation’s No. 1 auto maker expects to see a great marketing effect, as the car is exposed to global media.
In addition, the company will offer its newly-devised electric car, BlueOn, targeting the rising green car market.
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics will aim to push their products.
Samsung plans to set up a booth for green memory and green growth at the summit venue and invite participants to become familiar with the production process of green memory and its strategy for green growth.
LG intends to expose its highly publicized electrical appliances to major foreign visitors. It is in negotiations with the organization committee to display its 3D TVs and LED TVs at the press center and official event halls.
The Intercontinental Hotel, run by Parnas Hotel, a subsidiary of GS Group, will lend its full support to the gathering.
The hotel, the venue of the G20 summit, will expand its number of suites from one to five and it will offer a personalized butler service to its VIP customers. Lotte Hotel has spent 5 billion won to upgrade its Korean restaurant to deliver Korean flavors to well-known CEOs.
The airline industry is also joining the movement, running task forces and strengthening its service.
Korean Air plans to establish counters and baggage containers only for the participants of the summit to offer them an easy entry procedure.
Asian Airlines will also help chartered planes of each country’s head arrive in Korea comfortably after setting up its task forces.