The aim of this research is to suggest policy implications for industrial cooperation in the ICT sector between Korea and the Maghreb countries including Morocco and Tunisia, with an investigation of ICT industrial structure, market situation and industrial policies of those countries.
As the two countries have shown high potential for ICT industry development with their open door policy related to the ICT market, Korean companies are attempting to enter the market to realize those business opportunies. They should, however, identify market risks stemming from cultural and language barriers and fierce competition between market players. For successful performance of Korean companies in the market, some implications for corporate strategy and government policy should be considered as follows.
First, joint investment with foreign capital is needed to minimize the market risks mentioned above. As they lack business experience in the region, Korean companies should seek co-investment partners in Europe and the Middle East with abundant knowledge of and experience in the North African market. As a matter of fact, the number of joint investment between European and Middle Eastern companies are increasing in the market after the mid-2000s.
Second, Korean companies should focus on their advanced goods and services utilizing their comparative advantage including high speed internet networks and services. In addition, differentiated goods and services should be developed for new consumers in the market while considering their income level and preferences in using the ICT machines. This will help Korean companies to occupy emerging innovative markets and expand their market share at the initial stage of market entry.
Third, a wider market entry strategy for Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East should be prepared from the long-term perspective when they enter the Moroccan and Tunisian markets. Despite relatively low income levels and population sizes, Morocco and Tunisia can become footholds for making inroads into neighboring countries, by utilizing their economic, political and cultural relations with those countries.
Fourth, the role of the government should be emphasized in promoting ICT industry cooperation with the Maghreb countries at its initial stage in order to  establish government-to-government cooperative network and support Korean companies' market entry. In particular, public institutions like KOTRA can provide Korean companies with information about government-initiated projects and changes of regulations and laws in the sector. This can be helpful especially for small and medium enterprises since they often experience difficulties obtaining such information due to lack of human network and financial resources.