BJFEZ promotes R&D at BEXCO Chemistry Convention

August 22nd-28th, 2010-700-1,000 scientists from 56 countries including 4 Nobel laureates have descended upon Busan to discuss, debate and lecture on all phenomena relating to modern physical organic chemistry and its potential for real life applications in industy and medicine.

The 20th International Conference on Physical Organic Chemistry being held at the BEXCO Conference Center-located in the Haeundae district of metropolitan Busan-organized by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry brings together the brightest minds in the field.

With some of the top researchers and scientists in the Busan area, the BJFEZ is capitalizing on the opportunity to build awareness of the FEZ as a location for R&D activities; the zone offers wide ranging incentives including tax holidays, exemption from mandatory hiring quotas as well as subsidies for hiring specialists in R&D.

Four Nobel laureates will be presenting topics from diverse areas of the field; Ryoji Noyori of Nagoya University, Aaron Ciechanover of the Israel Institute of Technology, Rudolph A. Marcus from the Institute of Technology as well as Robert Huber of Germany's Max-Planck-Institute.

BJFEZ trains Metropolitant Busan civil servants in thinking globally

August 16th, 2010-BJFEZA staff lent a helping hand to Metropolitan Busan City civil servants with a lecture involving steps and measures to best address the needs of the growing expat presence in Busan.

The lecture covered understanding the services required to settle in the Busan area; such services range from immigration issues, apartment finding to obtaining a driver's license as well as many other aspects. Also covered was understanding the concept of Busan as a brand name and the necessity to build on the current measures to improve the awareness of the region as a location for investment.

Metropolitan Busan being the second largest city in South Korea has made progressive steps to develop the infrastructure to help expats adjust to life in the city. Such measures include the establishment of a Foreigner's Center with a range of services including free Korean classes Monday through Saturday to social services at the district office level. Last year saw the establishment of an all English library in Bujeong-dong. Further developments this year will see Busan International Foreign School's first academic year-located in Naeri, Gi-jung-Eup in Gijung County-the 750 student capacity school will expand the ability of Busan to attract further foreign investment by offering crucial services for foreign investors by offering crucial services for foreign investors and their families.

September Events

BJFEZ Logistics Seminar

September 8th, 2010-The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone along with the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs will be co-hosting a seminar for enhancing competitiveness of the BJFEZ and the Busan New Port. The event will be held at the Busan-Gyeongnam Small Business Training Institute located in the Jinhae-gu district of Changwon.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Seong-woo Lee of the Korea Maritime Institute, Rowan George Bullock, Vice-President of Operations for PNC, a terminal operator in the new port and Professor Su-won Seo of Dongseo University and Boo-won Kong, Director of the Busan Port Authority. Dr. Lee will be lecturing on development strategies to attract global companies through adapting to shifts in the global economic paradigm; Professor Seo will make a presentation regarding the BJFEZ's role and strategies to enhance the new port while Boo-won Kong will address best strategy practices to manage Busan Port operations. Rowan George Bullock will present the case of PNC as a model for future foreign investment into the new port.

Following the presentations will be a panel discussion on the ways and means to enhance competitiveness of both the BJFEZ and the Busan New Port. The seminar is expected to generate ideas to strengthen the relationship between the BJFEZ and new port emphazing its strategic location for logistics in Northeast Asia and the close to the southeastern industrial belt which plays a pivotal role in Korea's high-tech advanced manufacturing.

For further information please contact In-sook Huh of the Port and Logistics team at 82-51-979-5352.

4th Annual BJFEZ English Speech Contest

September 13th-15th, 2010-The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority will be hosting its 4th annual English speech contest at the BJFEZ headquarters. 85 contestants ranging from elementary school to university students will have the opportunity to address a panel of judges on themes relating to the BJFEZ.

Elementary, middle and high-school contestants will make presentations regarding how the BJFEZ inspires their own dreams while university students will address the panel with proposals for the continued development of the BJFEZ. The contest will take place in the Vision Hall located on the 1st floor of the BJFEZ headquarters.

The contest is an opportunity offered by the BJFEZ to encourage citizens of the Busan-Changwon area to practice their English speaking skills and encourage the next generation to show confidence in their second language capabilities thus making the area an attractive, global destination.

3 million won (KRW) will be given in prize monies to the top contestants; the elementary-middle and high-school level: 1st prize 500,000 (KRW), 2nd prize 300,000 (KRW), 3rd prize 200,000 (KRW), 4th prize 100,000 (KRW). At the university level the 1st prize winner will recieve 1,000,000 (KRW), 2nd prize 500,000 (KRW), 3rd prize 300,000 (KRW), 4th place 200,000 (KRW).

For further information please contact Paul Lanari at 82-51-979-5332, Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm.