At the Korea Financial Industry Investment Environment Seminar, held in Sydney, Australia, at the end of last month, Macquarie Group Korea CEO John Walker (pictured) delivered the presentation –
Korea as an Investment Destination – A Practitioner’s Observations

In this highly informative presentation, Walker provided many insights from a foreign investor’s viewpoint -

“Korea has made progress based on a ‘sweating’ economy over the past 40 years until 2000, and it has continued the growth through ‘thinking economy’ since 2000. Now the county is enjoying a ‘creative’ economy,” said Walker.

The presentation also debunked some of the myths surrounding Korea’s environment for foreign investors -

“It is far from the truth that Korea is hostile to foreign capital. Given its sophisticated and transparent market, Korea will provide various opportunities to overseas investors.”

Backing up this statement with Macquarie’s own success story in Korea along with providing examples of positive changes implemented by the Korean government.

The presentation went on to highlight M&A opportunities stemming from industry consolidation -

Also outlining where Macquarie Group Korea believe future opportunities lie, touching on Korea’s financial, infrastructure, tourism & leisure, biotechnology, and education industries.

“Korea is one of the finest investment destinations for Australian companies, given the business-friendly environment and the government deregulation drive in Korea.” Walker concluded.

(Additional materials and quotes provided by Yonhap News.)