Jeonnam Province Receives International Event Approval for the 5th Consecutive International Agricultural Expo

Aerial view of the 2021 International Agriculture Expo. Photo by Jeonnam Province

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeollanam-do announced on the 19th that the '2021 International Agricultural Expo,' the largest comprehensive agricultural expo in Korea, has been finally approved as an international event.

This approval was made after deliberation by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's International Event Review Committee. It follows the first international event held in 2012, and subsequent events in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

It has become the first international expo to receive approval as an international event for five consecutive times, establishing itself as the only comprehensive expo in Korea encompassing agriculture and rural areas.

In particular, next year's expo, which had received national funding support for four consecutive times, faced the risk of funding suspension due to the sunset clause. However, based on the '2021 International Agricultural Expo Basic Plan,' meticulous preparations were made to align with the expo's purpose and its status as an international event, and an extension application was submitted last December.

Subsequently, after multiple visits to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance to persuade the necessity of the event for exploring the future value of agriculture and the revitalization of agriculture and rural areas, final approval was obtained from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, signaling a green light for securing national funding.

This government approval recognized the economic and productive contributions of the 2019 International Agricultural Expo, which achieved sales promotion revenue of 236.6 billion KRW, production inducement of 648.4 billion KRW, and employment inducement of 6,819 people, benefiting the local community.

It was also analyzed that the historical significance of hosting an agricultural expo showcasing excellent domestic and international agricultural products and technologies for over 20 years played a crucial role.

Jeon Gwang-ho, Secretary General of the Jeollanam-do International Agricultural Expo, said, “The 2021 International Agricultural Expo will present a model for future agriculture and serve as a place where consumers and producers can communicate and harmonize.” He added, “It will provide the optimal business environment for pioneering new paths in agriculture and rural areas, greatly contributing to agricultural and national economic development.”

Boosted by the approval as an international event, the 2021 International Agricultural Expo is scheduled to be held from October 21 for 11 days at the Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services under the theme “Agriculture Changes the World. Smart Agriculture Dreaming of the Future.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance has revised the 'Regulations on Hosting and Attracting International Events' to support budgets for international events with government funding of 1 billion KRW or more, allowing biennial events to receive funding up to four times. However, additional support requires passing the evaluation of the International Event Review Committee.

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