The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ITCCK) was pleased to welcome a delegation from Confindustria Varese, Confindustria Bergamo, and Confindustria Emilia Area Centro for their mission to South Korea from April 11 to 18, as part of the Open Mind project. Now in its second year, Open Mind is a joint initiative designed to bring Italian entrepreneurs and managers face-to-face with the world's most advanced innovation ecosystems, with the concrete goal of identifying emerging trends, collecting actionable best practices, and building international connections.

Business leaders from 21 companies spent the week visiting some of Korea's most significant companies and institutions. The programme included Samsung Electronics, Intercos Korea, the Incheon Free Economic Zone and its Songdo smart city, Incheon Startup Park, Dong-A ST, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, and Hyundai Motor Company's Asan plant, a cross-section of Korean excellence spanning electronics, beauty, logistics, startups, pharmaceuticals, and automotive manufacturing.

The week also featured an important institutional moment at the High Street Italia Building, where the delegation met with Ambassador Emilia Gatto, Economic Counselor Vincenzo Tamarindo, and ICE Seoul Director Ferdinando Gueli, a reflection of the depth and vitality of the Italy–Korea bilateral relationship. A dedicated session on Korean culture and business etiquette, led by Soyoun Lim, further prepared participants for meaningful and lasting engagement in the local professional landscape.

ITCCK is proud to have played a part in this mission and remains committed to supporting Italian companies looking to explore the opportunities that South Korea's dynamic and forward-looking economy has to offer.