FIVE REASONS WHY KOREAN COMPANIES ARE STRONG

YOKOHAMA, May 21 (Bernama) -- There are five main reasons why South Korean
companies remain strong, according to a Japan External Trade Organisation
(Jetro) survey.

The survey, entitled "Current Status of Korean companies competing against
Japanese Companies", was carried out from March 2010 to April 2010.

Jetro said the survey was done by its Overseas Research Department which
wanted to know the secret of the strength of South Korean companies by SWOT
(Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat) Analysis compared with Japanese
companies.

It said the survey found that the Korean firms had developed products that
matched the markets' needs at a reasonable price.

"Beside a weak won, they had also succeeded in branding via proactive public
relation activities and help by diplomats and prime ministers.

"South Korean companies also advanced into regions where few Japanese
companies exist, such as in the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America,"
it said.

Jetro said this in a flier distributed at Malaysian Automotive Industry
Exhibition (MAIE) pavilion, which was held concurrently with Automotive
Engineering Exposition (AEE).

National carmaker, Proton, and 10 Malaysian automotive parts and components
makers participated in the exhibition which ended yesterday.

It said in Asean, the presence of South Korean companies was increasing.

"However, there are countries which the Japanese companies are still
maintaining a big share with their sales network and after-sales services," it
said.

Jetro said the survey said the Japanese companies were competitive in their
technology and brands.

"They must see remarkable progresses of Korean and Chinese companies as
opportunities and make global alliances.

"It hoped that this information would be useful (to Malaysia companies)," it
said.