Martial Arts and COVID-19 Overcome with Full Support for 'Import and Export Logistics'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) is significantly enhancing its projects to improve export-import logistics and provide real-time logistics trend information for Korean companies struggling due to the global spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 6th, KITA announced that as the logistics environment in major countries rapidly changes due to COVID-19, it is important to quickly deliver the latest information to Korean companies. Utilizing its overseas networks and local experts, the association plans to sequentially provide the latest logistics trends at major export destination ports and airports, as well as customs, clearance, and inland transportation information starting next week.

Accordingly, logistics-related latest trends will be produced as videos focusing on major export destinations such as Europe, the United States, Vietnam, and China, and posted on the website and YouTube.

The association also plans to completely revamp the existing logistics portal by September to allow shippers to easily access various practical logistics materials, logistics cost reduction methods, and logistics information from countries around the world at a glance. Through this, companies will be able to check related institution and company information that was previously provided sporadically, such as cargo tracking, freight rate estimates, and risk inquiries by port, all in one place.

Logistics consulting by export-import procedure and expert on-site consulting will also be implemented. Until last month, the association formed expert groups in fields such as export-import logistics, customs and clearance, logistics center usage, fire and cargo insurance, legal services, and e-commerce, and from this month, it has started focused support to resolve logistics difficulties and enhance competitiveness for small and medium-sized shipper companies.

To expand the domestic export-import logistics network, the association plans to additionally form regional shipper councils in major logistics hub areas such as Busan, Yeosu-Gwangyang, and Incheon, in addition to the one currently operating only in Ulsan, and will also operate working-level meetings to support these councils.

Prior to this, as part of the full-scale COVID-19 response, KITA has been operating the ‘Logistics and On-site Difficulty Support Task Force (TF)’ since February and, in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, provides the latest logistics trends to the industry daily.

Vice Chairman Han Jin-hyun emphasized, "For smooth export-import logistics, providing real-time information on the global supply chain is very important," and added, "We will prepare comprehensive support measures such as quickly providing overseas major logistics status information to the industry in cooperation with related ministries, institutions, and companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.