KEPCO-in-Provence
The wording on the plaque unveiled last Friday in Aix-en-Provence says it all: welcome to the "France/ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Organization Representative Office" of KEPCO E&C, a subsidiary of Korea's giant electricity utility KEPCO.
The many ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ procurement contracts awarded to KEPCO E&C (representing approximately EUR 36 million) explain the company's decision to open an office here, at the heart of a science and technology park forty-five minutes from the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ site.
"We are here because of ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ," explains KEPCO E&C's President and CEO Koo-Woun Park. "But beyond our commitment to ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, we will extend our ability to explore the promising markets of Europe, especially those of Eastern Europe..."
Being close to ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ will make communication much easier and efficient. "We're here to help in the success of ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ and it's always better to communicate face-to-face," adds Koo-Woun Park, who came especially from Korea to inaugurate the small office in Aix-en-Provence.
The two-person office—the first established by KEPCO E&C in Europe—will be managed by General Manager Jun Hyung Lee assisted by one secretary only. "It's a small beginning but, symbolically, an important one," he said. He sees the office as a communication channel not only with ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, but "with the whole energy establishment in Europe".
ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Director-General Osamu Motojima, who attended the inauguration ceremony along with ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ directors Carlos Alejaldre, Sergio Orlandi and Joo-Shik Bak, stressed the strong significance of the event for both ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ and for the surrounding region. "Your presence in Provence," he said, "is proof that ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ and its industrial partners now play an important role in the region's economic development—both directly and indirectly."
The company's installation in Aix-en-Provence was facilitated by the Welcome Office for International Companies (WOIC), the agency that works in close collaboration with the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Organization to provide support to foreign firms wishing to establish themselves close to the project.