A Korean-born French cabinet minister has visited Korea to discuss ways to widen corporate ties between Korea and France, and also meet the French-Korean business community here.

Fleur Pellerin arrived Saturday for a five-day visit. This marks her first return to her homeland since she was adopted by French parents as a baby.

Pellerin is currently France’s minister for small and mid-sized enterprises and innovation.

At a lunch meeting with the French-Korean business community today, Pellerin will deliver a keynote speech and hold discussions with business representatives, the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Sunday.

The minister earlier said she hopes to help the two countries strengthen ties in many areas ranging from culture to small and medium-sized enterprises.

“I’d like to discuss all possible opportunities for developing closer relationships between Korea and France,” she told reporters at Incheon International Airport.

Citing President Park Geun-hye’s policy drive to nurture small and medium-sized enterprises, Pellerin said their talks will cover ways to boost growth at small companies.

Pellerin also said she would like to convey a message from France and its people to become an important partner for South Korea in wide-ranging areas including economy and culture.

In particular, the French minister has expressed her wish for the companies in the two countries to expand partnerships in the electronics and digital economy sectors.

By Kim Ji-hyun and news reports
(jemmie@heraldcorp.com)