SEOUL,KOREA—The government-run trade promotional agency, KOTRA, has export markets under its pressing surveillance. On 11, the headquarters called chief managers from 9 overseas networks for an emergency meeting. They sought to expand exports for SMEs(Small and Medium Enterprises) by reviewing target markets and addressing issues. Several interesting cases dominated the video conference; they showed how each overseas head office focused on solving problems for export growth.
KOTRA branch in Tokyo successfully supported one company that once lost Japanese buyers due to a nuclear meltdown at FUKUSHIMA. The exporter began trade in its newly found market. In Uzbekistan, KOTRA’s Toshkent branch convinced the local government to free the due payment amounting up to 70 million US dollars for SMEs after foreign exchange transactions were put under strict government control. Also, its office in Nairobi, Kenya helped one construction company taking part in an 8 million USD airport project.
Also each KOTRA network introduced its on-going specialized project. In Europe, the support system has been set up for auto-parts which are the major beneficiaries from Korea-EU FTA. A head office at CIS will accommodate “Export Fair for Custom Union Uncultivated Markets,” and the one in Japan discussed “how businesses will be affected by future Korea-Japan relationship and following measures.”
“Now exports seem to signal its downturn, however, such efforts made from overseas offices will show companies the way to revitalize their sales,” said President Young-ho Oh, “Until the end of this year, KOTRA will launch various projects to increase exports more.”
