KOTRA 60th Anniversary... "The Beginning of an Era Where Anyone Can Export"

60th Anniversary Ceremony Held at Seoul Headquarters on the 20th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] KOTRA held its 60th anniversary ceremony at its Seoul headquarters on the 20th and expressed its determination to make this year the inaugural year of an era where anyone can export.

In his 60th anniversary commemorative speech, KOTRA President Yoo Jung-yeol said, “Although uncertainty is high due to global inflation and a low-growth trend, business opportunities and hope are visible amid new paradigms such as the transition to a digital and low-carbon economy and the reorganization of global supply chains.” He emphasized, “On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, KOTRA has established a new vision as ‘Korea’s Global Business Platform Connecting the World and the Future’ and will contribute to the national economy through global business support as the country’s representative trade and investment support organization, and will reinvent itself as a platform leading the future of trade and investment.”

Along with this, he presented three key directions for KOTRA’s focus in preparing for the next 60 years. “First, marking the 60th anniversary, we will make this year the inaugural year of an ‘era where anyone can export,’” he said, adding that KOTRA will transform into a ‘digital trade company’ to overcome the limitations of traditional export marketing and expand the base of Korean exports.

He also stated, “As we face global issues such as semiconductor raw material supply difficulties and logistics crises, securing a stable supply chain is a national imperative.” He announced plans to leap forward as an ‘advanced country-type trade and investment institution’ by diversifying alternative import sources for key strategic items and strengthening strategic foreign investment attraction in core industries to support trade and investment in a balanced manner.

Lastly, he shared future plans, saying, “As a leading institution fulfilling the responsibilities of an advanced Korea in the international community, we will expand global economic cooperation aligned with the new trade order, and strengthen international cooperation on greenhouse gas reduction and industry-trade linked development cooperation for carbon neutrality by 2050.”

President Yoo also promised, “Over the past 60 years, KOTRA has continuously evolved in response to the demands of the times and has established itself as a representative business platform supporting Korea’s trade and investment. To proactively respond to the rapidly changing global trade environment, we will continue to promptly identify the needs of our companies and provide necessary support.”

Meanwhile, the ceremony was attended by key figures from various sectors, including Jang Young-jin, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Kim Kyung-man, Chairman of the Special Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises of the Democratic Party; Lee In-ho, President of the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation; and Lee Kwan-seop, Vice Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association.

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