After two decades of living in Korea, Philippe Li is going back to his home in Paris, but that does not mean he is finished with Korea.

Li, the outgoing French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, will be representing his ethnic home on a wider scale to the body that brings together and supports the development of the 114 French chambers abroad.

“When I was elected as a member of the board of directors of UCCIFE (The Union of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abroad), it was a kind of recognition not only of what the chamber (in Korea) has been doing, but also what Korea can mean to France,” he told The Korea Herald.

Over 20 years ago, Li came to Korea to live and work in the home of his parents. Almost right away he started working for the French Chamber. Six years ago he was elected president, a title he has held with great pride.

Looking back at his over 20 years in Korea, Li remarked that the country he calls home has made great improvements in opening up its market to the outside world.

“Now with the free trade agreement, I think we will have a new step, another momentum but there are still a lot of issues for foreign companies here,” he said.

The first is the perception of foreigners as outsiders. However, Li notes that he has seen this notion become less prevalent as the nation welcomes outside influences and cultures.

“But it’s still an issue,” he said. “It creates distortion.”

On the other side of the coin are foreign companies operating in Korea who “do not perform adequately.”

“Many companies lack the knowledge of the culture, environment, the people,” he said.

Li explained that the networking culture in Korea is a good example. Foreign representatives of companies could make stronger efforts to build proper contacts.

After two decades of living in Korea, Philippe Li is going back to his home in Paris, but that does not mean he is finished with Korea.

Li, the outgoing French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, will be representing his ethnic home on a wider scale to the body that brings together and supports the development of the 114 French chambers abroad.

“When I was elected as a member of the board of directors of UCCIFE (The Union of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abroad), it was a kind of recognition not only of what the chamber (in Korea) has been doing, but also what Korea can mean to France,” he told The Korea Herald.

Over 20 years ago, Li came to Korea to live and work in the home of his parents. Almost right away he started working for the French Chamber. Six years ago he was elected president, a title he has held with great pride.

Looking back at his over 20 years in Korea, Li remarked that the country he calls home has made great improvements in opening up its market to the outside world.

“Now with the free trade agreement, I think we will have a new step, another momentum but there are still a lot of issues for foreign companies here,” he said.

The first is the perception of foreigners as outsiders. However, Li notes that he has seen this notion become less prevalent as the nation welcomes outside influences and cultures.

“But it’s still an issue,” he said. “It creates distortion.”

On the other side of the coin are foreign companies operating in Korea who “do not perform adequately.”

“Many companies lack the knowledge of the culture, environment, the people,” he said.

Li explained that the networking culture in Korea is a good example. Foreign representatives of companies could make stronger efforts to build proper contacts.

Source: Yonhap News (March 13, 2011)