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The wording on the plaque unveiled last Friday in Aix-en-Provence says it all: welcome to the "France/±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Representative Office" of KEPCO E&C, a subsidiary of Korea's giant electricity utility KEPCO.

The many ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ site.

"We are here because of ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ," explains KEPCO E&C's President and CEO Koo-Woun Park. "But beyond our commitment to ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ, we will extend our ability to explore the promising markets of Europe, especially those of Eastern Europe..."

Being close to ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ will make communication much easier and efficient. "We're here to help in the success of ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ, but "with the whole energy establishment in Europe".

±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Director-General Osamu Motojima, who attended the inauguration ceremony along with ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ directors Carlos Alejaldre, Sergio Orlandi and Joo-Shik Bak, stressed the strong significance of the event for both ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ and for the surrounding region. "Your presence in Provence," he said, "is proof that ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ to provide support to foreign firms wishing to establish themselves close to the project.