GBA becomes first unique global business platform in Korea

Oh Sinan Ozturk, chairman of the Global Business Alliance (GBA), speaks during the foundation ceremony of the GBA at the Seoul Dragon City hotel in this Nov. 26, 2019 file photo. / Courtesy of GBA

By Baek Byung-yeul

Global Business Alliance (GBA) is a unique business platform designed to help Korean and foreign entrepreneurs, diplomats and trade counselors from more than 60 countries to share innovative ideas and create a bigger picture for their businesses.

Oh Sinan Ozturk, founder and chairman of GBA, said Tuesday that he established the non-profit organization last year as he wanted to provide a place where foreign entrepreneurs in Korea and Korean entrepreneurs can exchange and do business together.

"GBA is a business platform for Korean and foreign entrepreneurs, diplomats and trade counselors, International startup leaders from over 60 countries. We are very interested in improving the awareness of the business and raising the standards of all GBA members. We will share innovative values and beliefs by helping our members to create a bigger picture of their businesses. GBA members from various fields will be more successful in the global market by getting professional and practical support and benefits of GBA," Ozturk said.

"And I believe that it will contribute to Korean economic growth and job creation. In particular, it will be a great help for Korean SMEs who wish to enter overseas markets to expand globally and GBA will serve as a platform through realization of numerous projects for foreign entrepreneurs and domestic startup leaders who are very interested in Korean products," the chairman added.

Participants to the foundation ceremony of Global Business Alliance (GBA) pose for a photo at the Seoul Dragon City hotel in this Nov. 26, 2019 file photo. / Courtesy of GBA

GBA members are comprised of four groups: Korean entrepreneurs, foreign entrepreneurs, international startup leaders and diplomats and trade counselors.

By providing various programs such as Business Matching Day, Startup Matching Day, Korean Culture Day, Country Brand Day and GBA Vision Academy, GBA provides its members an opportunity to build networking channels and consequently improve competitiveness in the global market.

For instance, Korean and foreign business people are able to promote their products to other members via the Business Matching Day so that they can create import or export channels. At the Startup Matching Day, startup leaders who are struggling with attracting investments can promote their ideas and products in front of investors. Foreign members are also able to learn about Korean culture on Korean Culture Day.

Participants of the foundation ceremony for Global Business Alliance (GBA) listen to the remarks of Chairman Oh Sinan Ozturk at the Seoul Dragon City hotel in this Nov. 26, 2019 file photo. / Courtesy of GBA

The chairman said has participated in various kinds of forums and business meetings held here but found a very rare opportunities to share business ideas between Korean and foreign businessmen. He added he felt it was regrettable that there was no such place to create synergy between Korean and foreign people even though more than 2.5 million people from overseas countries are currently living in Korea.

"Challenges and difficulties of foreigners to adapting to Korean society lead to multicultural limitation. It's time to consider all people as representing our diversity," he said. "We must embrace their talents to make Korea more beautiful and better. That's why the Global Business Alliance was established."

Ozturk is also a well-known figure in Korea for running popular Turkish restaurant chain under Kervan Group. The Turkish businessman first came to Korea in 1997 as a student of Seoul National University's Department of Industrial Engineering.

In 2002, when the FIFA World Cup was held in Korea and Japan, he served as a liaison officer for the Turkish national team, coordinating the team schedule and translating for Turkish players, along with other duties.

"Do you remember? The score between Korea and Turkey was 3 to 4, the victory went to Turkey, but the Red Devils cheered Turkey to the end and the result was friendship. Both Korea and Turkey surprised the world," Ozturk said.

"I was also so impressed at that moment and I believe Koreans have gratitude for the generous sacrifice of the Turkish soldiers who participated in the Korean War."

After finishing his studies at the prestigious Seoul National University, Ozturk decided to stay here as he was fascinated by Korea and its people. After deciding to live in Korea, Ozturk established Kervan Group here and has successfully operated the Turkish-Mediterranean restaurant chain for more than a decade.

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