Incentives for FDI 

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in South Korea has been steadily increasing, hitting a record high of US$ 21.3 billion in 2016. The strong growth in FDI has been encouraged by cash assistance and incentives for overseas companies entering the market.

Improved credit rating 

Despite the global economic downturn, South Korea’s sovereign credit rating has been improving over the years. Both Moody’s and Fitch increased South Korea’s sovereign credit rating in 2012 to AA3 and AA- respectively, with Moody’s later raising it to AA2 in 2015. Standard & Poor’s raised it in 2015 and then again in 2016, to the current rating of AA.

Strong domestic demand 

With growing affluence among Koreans, a strong wave of consumerism is sweeping through the country, with many international retailers reporting a healthy growth in sales. 

Venture to South Korea 

South Korea’s economy is heavily dependent on international trade and the country is a major exporter of electronics, automobiles and robotics.

Trade and economic relations between India and Republic of Korea (Korea) have gathered momentum in recent years with bilateral trade reaching US$ 21.4 billion in 2018-19. The bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CEPA) set in place since 2010 has spurred trade and investment both ways. In 2018, Korea’s investment into India crossed the US$ 1 billion mark for the first time, recording US$ 1.053 billion. Korea’s total FDI to India up to December 2018 stands at US$ 5.95 billion. Investment from India to Korea are to the tune of approx. US$ 3 billion led by Tata Daewoo, Ssangyong and Novelis.

Bilateral economic ties received a visible boost from the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Republic of Korea from 18-19 May 2015. India and Korea decided to commence negotiations to amend the CEPA, strengthen cooperation on energy, electronics and shipbuilding industries, including setting up of a Joint Working Group for Cooperation on the shipbuilding sector and another in the field of Electronics Hardware manufacturing. ROK offered to provide US$ 10 billion financing (development assistance and concessional credit) to India for infrastructure projects.

Recognizing the importance of shipping industry in the bilateral relationship, the PM also visited the shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. Leaders of both countries addressed the inaugural session of India-Korea CEOs Forum to promote the bilateral economic cooperation, while PM also met the leadership of the top Korean conglomerates. ‘Korea Plus’ desk was created as a single window in India to address all the issues raised by Korean companies as a result of PM visit. State visit of President Moon Jae-in during 10-12 July, 2018 to India has boosted bilateral engagement with joint vision of people, peace and prosperity.  A target of bilateral trade worth US$ 50 billion to be achieved by 2030 was set up by Prime Minister Modi and President Moon during this visit.

Status of Korean Economy and Synergies with India

In less than four decades, Korea has achieved remarkable progress, transforming its economy into an export-driven powerhouse. Its GDP has crossed US$ 1 trillion from a mere US$ 2.3 billion in 1962, and recorded as the 12th largest in the word according to 2017 GDP. Its per capita income in 2017 was US$ 29,745. Services, manufacturing and agriculture account for 54.1%, 26.3% & 2.1% of its GDP respectively. (Source: Bank of Korea). The economic transformation has been achieved despite Korea’s high dependence on import of natural resources including crude oil and essential minerals.

Korea became the 29th member country of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1996. Korea is now the 5th largest exporter and 9th biggest importer in the world as of 2017. Its exports increased by 15.8% to US$ 573.7 billion and imports also reduced 17.8% to US$ 478.5 billion. Over 40% of Korea’s trade is with China, USA and Japan. Korea’s other major trading partners are Vietnam, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Australia, Germany, Singapore, and Indonesia. Korea has the world’s 9th largest foreign exchange reserves at US$ 402.5 billion as of July 2018 (Source: Bank of Korea). It has world’s largest shipbuilding industry, and ranks among the top producers of semiconductors and electronic products. A major auto manufacturer, Korea produces over 4.5 million vehicles annually.        

India and ROK, having pursued different economic paths for development since their independence, currently share considerable synergies. ROK is an export-driven economy and is drawn by India’s huge market. ROK developed considerable expertise in shipbuilding, steel, nuclear energy, heavy electrical machinery etc. and is keen to invest in India in these areas. Similarly, ROK wants to take advantage of India’s prowess in IT software and to combine it with its expertise in IT hardware, designing, engineering and manufacturing. However, India has to diversify its export market, particularly focusing on high-tech products in addition to primary goods, if it has to penetrate the Korean import market. Even in textiles and garments where India used to have an edge, ROK has closed the gap and is exporting its own finished products to overseas markets. It is encouraging that the two countries are exploring commercial opportunities in space, defense and nuclear energy areas.

Bilateral Trade

India’s share in Korea’s global trade was 1.89% in 2018, India’s contribution in Korea’s global imports increased from 0.78% in 2001 to 1.10% in 2018. India is Korea’s 20th biggest source for imports and 7th biggest export market as of 2018. In the last four decades, pattern of Korean exports has undergone significant transformation. Exports moved up the value chain from primary goods to light industrial products, to heavy industrial, high-tech and knowledge-based products. One barrier that India faces is Korea’s restrictive policy towards import of primary agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables. These matters are being discussed in the annual CEPA review meetings. There is also a need for diversification of the export products which at present are driven overwhelmingly by petrochemical products, mainly Naphtha, which accounts for more than half of India’s total exports to Korea. 

Korean Model of Investment

According to Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), about 88% of all Korean subsidiaries established in India are wholly-owned while approximately 11.3% are joint ventures. The joint ventures are mostly between Korean companies themselves, and joint ventures with Indian companies are rare. This is mainly due to the indifferent experience in mid 1990s of Korean SMEs when they tried to enter India through JVs with Indian companies. Korean enterprises, including Hyundai Motors, LG and Samsung decided to have wholly owned subsidiaries with large scale investments, which allowed them to operate on economies of scale, establish their brand image at early stage, and gain negotiating power with local government. The Korean model of investment of working through wholly-owned subsidiaries is in contrast with the Japanese model, which followed the typical process of technical tie ups, participation as minority stake holder and subsequently expansion of stakes.

According to statistics of KOTRA and Korean Exim Bank, Korean investment in India is concentrated mainly in the manufacturing sectors accounting for 83.8% with wholesale and retail trade at 5.9%, financial and insurance activities at 1.9% and electricity, gas, steam and water supply at 1.5%. Major centres of investment are NCR (Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon), Chennai, Mumbai /Pune. USA continues to be Korea’s main investment destination with a total of $102.9 billion (accumulated until September 2018); and China its main destination in Asia with an overall investment of about $62.7 billion (Source: Exim Bank Korea). Korea’s accumulated worldwide investment as of September 2018 is $437.8 billion. Korea’s other major investment destinations are: Hong Kong -$25.2 billion and Vietnam – $19.8 billion. The average investment in India during the last four-year period (2014-2017) was $370.8 million per year.

Korean Industrial Park in the State of Rajasthan: ROK has proposed to establish a Korean Industrial Park at Ghiloth in the State of Rajasthan. Details are in the process of being worked out between KOTRA and RIICO (Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation).

Indian investments in South Korea

Novelis Inc., a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Ltd., the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, acquired Alcan Taihan Aluminium Ltd. in January 2005. Novelis Inc. holds 68% share amounting to about US$ 600 million in Novelis Korea Ltd, which is Asia’s number one manufacturer of aluminium rolled products with state of art production facilities in Yeongju and Ulsan, and employs more than 1,200 employees. Novelis’ total investment in Korea is over $700 million.

Tata Motors Limited, acquired Daewoo Commercial Vehicle based in Gunsan, Korea for a total price of KRW 120 billion (approximately US$ 102 million) in March 2004. Its cumulative investment now is over US$ 400 million.

Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) in August 2010 acquired a majority stake in ailing Ssangyong Motors with an estimated investment of about US$ 360 million. Its cumulative investment now has crossed US$ 1.5 billion and it has made the acquired company profitable in 2016-17.

Nakhoda Ltd, one of the large Indian producers of yarn acquired Kyunghan Industry Company which has a capacity for 150 tons per day of partially oriented yarn (POY), 90 tons per day of fully drawn yarn, and 60 tons of polyester fibre, with an investment of US$ 40 million.

M/s Creative Plastic, invested US$ 2 million in ROK and set up a 100% Alchemy Mold & Plastic Ltd. in Pyeongtaek.

In addition, Indian IT majors including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), L&T Infotech and Mahindra Tech set up operations in ROK and have been serving both Korean and other foreign clientele in this country.

Market Access for Indian Agricultural Products in Korea

Technical data for Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) in respect of agricultural products including walnut, mangoes, grapes and vegetables such as Okra and Brinjal (aubergine), was submitted to the Korean authorities from time to time since September 2004. These are at different stages of processing. PRA process was completed only in respect of mangoes and Indian mangoes were launched in ROK in 2017. ROK also applied for PRA clearances for fresh mushrooms, pear, apple, grape and paprika and these are under consideration of the Indian authorities. Korean Organic standards team, Ministry of Agriculture, Farmers and Rural Affairs has visited India in 2018 for onsite visit and provided report on equivalency standards determination as step towards Mutual Recognition Agreement in organic products.

Mineral fuels, machinery, aluminium, iron & steel, mechanical appliances, lead, cotton, mineral fuels, zinc & organic chemicals.

Untapped Trade Potential

According to ITC Trade Map, the products with greatest export potential from India to Korea, Republic of are aluminium, motor vehicles and medicaments.

EMBASSY OF INDIA SEOUL

101, Hannam Dong, Dokseodang-ro, Yongsan-gu

Seoul 04419

Republic of Korea (Working hours: 0900-1730 hrs)

Telephone:+82-2-798-4257, 798-4268

Fax: +82-2-796-9534

E-Mail: hoc.seoul@mea.gov.in

Annex building (Consular, Commercial and Cultural Wing)

102, Hannam Dong, Dokseodang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04419, Republic of Korea.

Working hours: 0900- 1730 Hrs.

Telephone: +82-2-792-4258, 792-4257.