Korea

Korea has built a robust economy, balanced in its focus on investment in exports and infrastructure along with a strong consumer culture. It has made great strides in regulatory innovation and corporate transparency.
Korea is a net exporter to China of a broad range of industrial goods and is an investor in many of the leading manufacturing facilities on the Mainland. Many believe that China will continue to focus on Korea’s experience in managing China’s future economic, social, and environmental development.
Korea has built global competitors like Samsung Electronics and Hyundai/Kia Motors. Global companies like Carrefour, Ford, and Prudential have selected Seoul as their Asia-regional headquarters. And the “Korea Wave” has seen a surgent Korean pop culture spread across Asia.
Korea has become one of the most mature capital markets in non-Japan Asia. 2005 equity returns in excess of 50% outpaced all major markets.
Direct investments have also been significant. Carrefour, Motorola, GM, Shanghai Motors, Syngenta, Phillips, Nestle, Procter & Gamble and many others have made significant, successful investments. Newbridge-Korea First, Goldman Sachs-Kookmin Bank, Goldman Sachs-Jinro, Carlyle-Koram Bank, and Lone Star-KEB have been some of the most successful private equity deals in Asia.