KOTRA 60th Anniversary... 'Global New Trade Forum' Held

24th, Seoul JW Marriott Hotel

Discussion on Global Supply Chain Restructuring After the Pandemic

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] KOTRA announced on the 23rd that it will hold the '2022 Global New Trade Forum' in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korean International Trade Association to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The event, held the following day, will bring together trade experts from the public, private, and academic sectors to discuss responses to global paradigm shifts. The forum was planned to redefine the 'KOTRA-style economic and trade cooperation projects' addressing new trade agendas such as economic security, supply chains, digital transformation, and carbon neutrality. It consists of three sessions: a pre-event (overseas scholars session), the main event, and side events (three forums and four exhibition halls). The overseas scholars session and the main event, starting at 8:30 a.m. the next day, will be broadcast live online on the YouTube KOTRA Business channel.

The pre-event features presentations on the post-COVID-19 global supply chain restructuring by Wei Shang-Jin, a renowned global scholar and professor at Columbia University, USA, and Chad Bown, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) and former White House international trade advisor. Professor Park Ji-hyung of Seoul National University will moderate this session, with Senior Research Fellow Jung Chul of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) facilitating.

The main event opens with a keynote speech by Hong Seok-woo, president of Sangji University, who previously served as Minister of Knowledge Economy (predecessor of the Ministry of Industry) and KOTRA president. Following him, speakers include Jung Sung-choon, vice president of KIEP; Oh Dong-yoon, president of the Small and Medium Business Venture Research Institute; and Lee Si-wook, president of the Korean International Trade Association. The panel discussion will be chaired by Kim Tae-ho, head of KOTRA's Economic and Trade Cooperation Division, and Professor Jung In-kyo of Inha University. They will explore the direction of the new global trade order and examine challenges faced by small and medium export companies.

The forum will forecast the direction of the new trade order in response to changes in the global trade environment and review support tasks for small and medium export companies. It will also explore the role of trade promotion organizations in the digital transformation era and strategies for Korean companies to respond.

Side events include a special seminar commemorating KOTRA's 60th anniversary. Through the 'Future Innovation Industry Forum,' the forum will seek directions for nurturing Korea's future innovation industries over the next decade and strategies for Korean companies to respond. The 'Global Digital Trade Agreement and Intellectual Property Issues Forum' will provide information on the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), which Korea is currently negotiating, and related intellectual property rights. Additionally, four exhibition halls will be operated, including the 'Overseas Economic Information Dream' promotional hall, a government-wide platform that consolidates overseas expansion information and support projects scattered across various agencies, and an FTA experience hall.

Meanwhile, KOTRA plans to promote domestic and international linked projects throughout the year based on the new economic cooperation directions mentioned at the '2022 Global New Trade Forum,' including the China Economic Cooperation Plaza (July-August), Chile Green Energy Partnership (September), Global ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) Strategy Forum (October), Thailand Investment Cooperation Forum (November), and Vietnam Eco-friendly Industry Technology Seminar (December).

KOTRA President Yoo Jung-yeol said, "Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine crisis, global supply chain restructuring, fostering of advanced industries in major countries, digital transformation, and carbon neutrality are becoming the new 'new normal' in trade. As KOTRA celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, we will increase support to help Korean companies respond swiftly to changes in the global trade environment and create new opportunities."

Yoo Jung-yeol, President of KOTRA. (Photo by KOTRA)

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