British American Tobacco Korea and its labor union have decided to put their differences aside over the next three years to work together for a sustainable future, BAT Korea said Monday.“We understand the difficulties the tobacco industry faces today as the demand for cigarettes is declining while competition is intensifying,” said Goo Seong-il, the head of BAT Korea’s labor union. “Both the union and management will work to overcome these difficulties and together contribute to the development

China’s takeover appetite for Korean companies will continue to rise, targeting technology firms and consumer goods makers, a market researcher forecast.In the latest deal, Chinese apparel company Lancy Group acquired a 15.3 percent stake in Agabang, Korea’s oldest baby wear brand. Several Chinese companies reportedly have expressed interest in buying out Pantech, the nation’s third-largest smartphone maker.According to Merger Market, a global deal news provider, China’s takeovers of Korean comp

MBC 무한도전MBC예능 프로그램 ‘무한도전’이 지난 4년간 27억원을 기부한 것으로 나타났다. 국회 미래창조과학방송통신위원회 소속 전병헌 의원(새정치민주연합)이 11일 방송문화진흥회로부터 제출받은 ‘최근 4년(2010~2014.9월현재)간 MBC 기부금 현황’자료에 따르면 MBC의 인기예능프로그램 ‘무한도전’이 달력판매 수익금 등으로 지난 4년간 기부한 금액은 27억 3577만원에 달했다. 이는 지난 4년간 MBC 전체기부금 45억 8830만원의 60%에 상당하는 금액이다.연도별 기부금 현황을 보면, 2010년 4억 9330만 6000원, 2011년 4억 202만 4718원, 2012년 7억 7044만 1877원, 2013년 8억 7000만원, 2014년 9월 현재 2억 원으로 확인됐다.‘무한도전’은 연말 ‘무한도전 달력’을 판매하면서부터 수익금 전액을 기부하고 있고, 2013년의 경우 사상최다 달력판매와 함께 8억7000만원이란 최고금액을 기부했다. 올해의 경우 ‘레이싱특집’을

Global companies doing business in South Korea are stepping up engagement in the local film industry as part of their social responsibility activities. JTI Korea, the Japanese tobacco company’s local unit, is no stranger to the film scene.The firm has been offering support for film festivals here since 2011, and this year it has set up a smoking lounge with portable ashtrays at the Busan International Film Festival. During the festival period, it is also conducting campaigns to promote proper sm

Top global food companies are eyeing South Korea’s food cluster Foodpolis with keen interest as it is expected to serve as a stepping stone for expanding into China, Asia’s largest food market. Up to 48 foreign companies, including Italy’s Forno d’Asolo, the Netherlands’ NIZO food, America’s Hampton Grains and France’s SEB, have signed pacts with the local Agriculture Ministry to set up shop in Foodpolis when it is completed by 2016 in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. “A growing number of global co