FKCCI unveils ambitious plans in Seoul

French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon, left, and Vallourec Management Board Chairman Philippe Crouzet speak at an annual meeting at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on July 6. / Courtesy of FKCCI

By Rachel Lee

French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon unveiled the organization’s visions for 2017-18 at its annual meeting at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on July 6.

The FKCCI, set up in 1986, has seen a big jump in membership — 348 companies, including most French companies in Korea and Korean companies that have business relationships with France, were members in 2016. There were 212 members in 2011.

At the meeting, FKCCI members were brought up to date on the chamber’s achievements last year and the outlook for this year and beyond.

Jalicon said the chamber plans to capitalize on last year’s dynamic generated by the cross-cultural exchanges that celebrated the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France and adapt itself to an uncertain world in terms of the global economic power balance.

The organization will “reinforce its recognition as an interlocutor and as an institution for both Korean and French organizations, media and governments,” the chairman said.

“The FKCCI will organize a door-knocking session, both in Korea and France, in order to be well identified by new administrations.”

It will continue to multiply points of contact within Korean society, including “Bus France” to mark the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, he added.

Other activities planned include a career and education forum and a thematic committee like the “Gourmet Club.”

“But most important, we believe that our French-Korean business community can enjoy a window of new opportunities thanks to the momentum created by the new president in France,” Jalicon said.

A changing world order has also created room for new economic areas and communities such as Francophonie Economic.

“We shall then look for our next level of relationship and push for developing strategic partnerships with Korea,” the chairman said. “Indeed, France can offer what’s needed in Korea in the future with cooperation on IOT (the internet of things), aerospace, health, the food industry and energy — strong power houses of the French economy.”

He also mentioned the completion of the chamber’s 30th anniversary project launched last year: “France in Korea 21.com.”

It consists of a geolocalization platform introducing all the French activities and entities on Korean territory.

“It reinforces our visibility and renews and updates the Korean perception of French companies in Korea,” he said.

Vallourec Management Board Chairman Philippe Crouzet delivered a keynote speech at the event under the topic “Meeting the increasing energy demand while reducing CO2 emissions — for a successful global energy transition.” Vallourec is a leading company in tubular solutions for the energy market and other industries.

The chamber aims to promote bilateral exchanges, investment and trade relations between France and Korea.