As Jack had his gigantic beanstalk that he used as a bridge between his world the land of the giant high up in the clouds, Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is there to connect Korean entrepreneurs to the land of opportunities. A KOTRA stalk for CeBIT 2009 has been growing since last year's exhibition, and buyers and sellers are expected to fully interact each other in Hannover, Germany thanks to KOTRA's presence there from March 3 to March 8. Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has long been regarded as a maestro in a Korean Fantasy, whose main theme is on the Miracle of Han River. From the time of the awakening from the war-torn economy of 1962 to the present day, KOTRA has been serving as a bridge cum beanstalk to find partner countries and foreign buyers. In today's omnipresent economic crisis, KOTRA remains undeterred striving to reach wider and climber without stoppage to lands on high.

Exhibition Floor

KOTRA is set to support Korean CeBIT 2009 participants who are eager to find breaks in the crisis of the global economic recession. KOTRA is tightly geared up to show undying support for 76 Korean ICT companies behind the scenes during those crucial six days. "We have coordinated the Korean booths to maximize the efficiency of the leasing spaces. This year, we are renting 1012.5 square meters which are to hold 82 booths," Director General Yoon Hyo-choon of Growth Industry Department IT Convergence Marketing Team continued, "We don't necessarily picture all booths as being the same size. We are seeking to provide some golden booths for those who seek to show something extra on the exhibition floor. The prime location of the golden booths will pay off."

KOTRA is to present The Yard of Korea at the CeBIT exhibition. The yard of Korea is a symbolic space, which represents the images of Korean history and tradition. "This zone will be full of flavor and foreign buyers and visitors will be able to take a peek on both technologies and culture," Yoon introduced.

On the show floor, KOTRA will mainly focus on heralding the cutting edge technologies of Korean ICT convergence. "We expect to show how far Korea has advanced in convergent technologies," said Yoon. Mobile Internet, Internet Protocol TV, and other IT convergences will lead the symphony at CeBIT 2009.

CeBIT 2009 is a great opportunity to secure Korea's identity in the global consciousness. Korea is a country where subscribers of cellular phones, WiBro, and DMB are highly generalized. Director General Yoon Hyo-choon said that visitors would be able to see the future of IT convergence through its booths. Full support awaits Korean participants who envision selling technology or joint venturing in relation with convergent services and high-end products.

2009 Target

One of the businesses that has crossed its fingers to be highlighted this year is the export of e-government system. Korea is one of the leading countries that have succeeded to implement an e-government network inside the bureaucratic trees within a short period of time. Collaboration with developing countries is, therefore, highly sought.

Green IT is another target KOTRA aims at the CeBIT. Green concept is now being introduced in every corner of industry. Hardware and software without the code green will no longer survive in the jungle of trend change much longer. Mother Nature demands industrialized and industrializing countries to keep their products and services from polluting the earth. "Our exhibitions are to show Korea's effort to keep in line with the pace the world walks. By doing so, we believe that the image of Korea will soon become more eco-friendly and environmentally friendly," Yoon added. He further noted that the diversified images of Korea would encourage Korean players at CeBIT floor.

Opportunity Awaits

Since CeBIT is the world's top exhibition considering the number of exhibition participants and monetary results, many set great expectations. According to KOTRA, the growth rate of ICT has recorded 27.3% during 1992~1996; 22.5% during 1997~2001; 9.2% during 2002~2006. Furthermore, it believes that the future of each country across the world depends on the number of foreign networks in ICT fields.

KOTRA analyzes that the cohabitation between ICT and other industries, including auto and shipbuilding, will be deepen in the years ahead. To add more value to their automobiles, manufacturers have no choice but to adopt more information and communication technologies to auto systems. Internet, videophones and office systems are no longer fancy options for drivers. Cars will eventually become moving houses and offices.

Miles to Go

As a frontier beanstalk of exports, KOTRA is fully scheduled to participate in a variety of exhibitions all around the world this year after CeBIT. It will send delegations to countries that include Brazil, China, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, and America to serve as an ICT product evangelist. Korea Premium Tech Plazas in Europe, China, and USA are among the representatives, along with the IT Showcase in Canada. KOTRA is also planning to explore South American countries to sell WiBro, a Korea-born wireless broadband technology that can provide seamless visual applications for subscribers on bus, taxi, and subways at high speed.

Director Yoon pledged that 30 year-old KOTRA will not spare sweat in helping exporting companies wherever they go as it had done for the long time. "As the environment surrounding the world economy gets tougher and tougher," said Yoon, "KOTRA's role as a supporter becomes more and more significant." Indeed the bridge has been set. The rest is up to the entrepreneurs' courageousness and wisdom to take advantage of it or not.