From the MoneyBeat blog of WSJ: (Link)
Digging North Korea “Roger Barrett’s Korea Business Consultants sounds like another firm to help investors navigate South Korea. But for anyone who stumbled into Mr. Barrett’s presentation at the annual Mines and Money conference in Hong Kong this week, it turned out the attraction was North Korea." Mr. Barrett, a Briton, insists on calling the North by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and speaks of its natural-resource opportunities. He is executive director of a gold mining firm there.Beside the prospect of gold in them thar North Korean hills, what of the inconveniences of dealing with a country variously described as a Stalinist state and hermit kingdom?" Mr. Barrett says there are now lots of 'markets, motors, money,' in the North. 'Occasionally sanctions get in the way, but not generally,' he said. Anyway, Mr. Barrett predicted 'significant overtures for peace next year.' Plus, he said, 'there’s no significant starvation anymore.' Displaying a photo of brightly-lit buildings, he said foreigners who live there now call Pyongyang 'Dubai.' What more could an investor ask for?" For those who have visited Pyongyang in spring, you may now be imagining the cherry blossoms, the flowers in the windowsills and the bright blue sky. For those who haven't, now is a great time to see and experience all of that, and view the changing Pyongyang skyline. For that reason KBC is pleased to announce our business and investment focused visits to the country for 2015, which we have been leading successfully for over a decade.
We are now booking for: Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair 11-14th May 2015 Mining and Minerals Fact Finding Mission 2nd-6th June Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair 21-24th September 2015 Rugby-Golf Charity Weekend 3rd-4th October Mining and Mining Equipment Mission 26-29th October Itineraries include meetings with the Korea Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of External Economic Relations, Foreign residents in Pyongyang and more. PRESENTATIONS ON: ▪ Overview of Economy / Commercial Opportunities ▪ Summary of Mining & Extractive Industries ▪ Case Studies / Specific Opportunities ▪ Manufacturing, Retail, IT and Infrastructure ▪ Laws on Foreign Investment & Trade. Visits to various factories, retail outlets and some of the DPRK’s best attractions. Itineraries are customizable and timetables flexible. Want to visit Mt. Paektu or somewhere else? Ask us about it! €2,500 all-inclusive package includes return flights from Beijing to Pyongyang, DPRK visa services, all in-country transport, hotels, breakfasts. and more! TO BOOK OR ENQUIRE ABOUT A TOUR, PLEASE CONTACT info@kbc-global.com |