Jorge Costa Oliveira, Portuguese secretary of state for internationalization affairs

Jorge Costa Oliveira, Portuguese secretary of state for internationalization affairs, wrapped up a five-day official visit to Korea on Nov. 4, advancing relations between Korea and Portugal in such areas as trade and bilateral ties. 

While staying here, Secretary Oliveira discussed ways of promoting bilateral ties between the two countries while meeting with Korea Foreign Ministry officials and Korean business leaders. He was accompanied by a little more than a dozen corporate officials from such industries as IT, food processing and footwear. The trade mission included Ricardo Monteiro from footwear maker Joia Calcado, SA.; Jose Maria Vilar from the processed food company Iguarivarius; Rui Miranda from wine company Campelo; Jorge Guimaraes from IT, healthcare company Alert Life Science Computing; and Rui Rebelo from engineering, IoT company Ceiia. 

Secretary Oliveira toured such companies as Eurotech Solutions’ factory in Gwangju and a venture company at Inha Medical School, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. He also met with Korean business leaders, including Park Chan-ho, secretary general of the Federation of Korea Industries (FKI) and Kim Dong-wook, vice president in charge of external affairs at Hyundai Motor.

He also participated in a ceremony to sign an MOU on cooperation between Aicep Portugal Global, Portugal’s Trade & Investment Agency, and Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) in Seoul on Nov. 4.

Luis Castro Henriques, executive director of Aicep Portugal Global, signed the agreement with KOIMA Executive Vice Chairman Kim Hyun-myung at KOIMA’s headquarters in Bangbae-ro, Seoul. Secretary Oliveira exchanged gifts with KOIMA Executive Vice Chairman Kim, boosting the festive mood after the signing of the deal. Secretary Oliveira, members of the Portuguese trade mission and KOIMA leaders were given an opportunity to exchange views on ways of promoting bilateral ties. The participants were served Porto wine and Pastel de Nata, The very traditional Portuguese egg tart pastry. 

Luis Castro Henriques, executive director of Aicep Portugal Global, said, “It is very important to partner with KOIMA to ensure our associations have direct relations with Korean companies. We like to cooperate in KOIMA, a good partner, to help foster trade ties between the two countries.”

Luis Castro Henriques, executive director of Aicep Portugal Global, shakes hands with Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) Executive Vice Chairman Kim Hyun-myung after they signed an MOU on cooperation between Aicep Portugal Global and KOIMA at KOIMA’s headquarters in Bangbae-ro, Seou, on Nov. 4. (Photos: NewsWorld)

Commenting on the signing of the deal, Secretary Oliveira said, “It is very important and a signal for willingness for Korea and Portugal to increase business relations”. 

He expressed hope next year, they will have opportunities to hold business meeting starting with three or four sectors to get a better understanding or discuss possible joint ventures or partnerships in Europe in Korea. He painted a rosy picture of bilateral ties, saying the potential is big.

KOIMA Executive Vice Chairman Kim said, “Portugal is less known to Korea, but the ICT industry is said to be advanced there, and it would be better to collaborate in any areas, including ICT, they are poised to fare well. KOIMA is interested in cooperation not only in importing good things Portuguese, including wine and ICT products, but also entering the market under win-win strategies.”   

The participating chairman of KOIMA’s IT subcommittee said he was interested in IT solutions with Portugal. “I’m one of the ‘1.5 generation IT businessmen,’ am unhappy with the current status of the Korean IT industry in which Korean IT companies lag behind Microsoft and other global mega-tech companies as well as up-and-coming Chinese late-comers.” 

The Korean IT industry needs to further turn to foreign markets, not relying on the domestic market, and it is possible to make joint efforts in such areas as smart care if Korea and Portugal can cooperate,” he said. 

About 50 businessmen from Korean and Portuguese companies got together for a dinner hosted by the Portuguese side at a restaurant near Seoul City Hall on Nov. 3 with the goal of fostering business networks and promoting mutual understanding and exchanges. 

Kim Byung-won, senior managing director of KIMPASS Co., said his company, whose Portuguese egg tart pastry brand changed its name to Pastel de Nata, seeks to expand business with Portugal, possibly in pastry and cake segments. 

Jose Maria Vilar of Iguarivarius said his company wants to do business with Korea. To this end, he expressed hope that both Korean and Portuguese governments will agree to allow his company to export processed port meat products.