"Making the World My Branch"… KOTRA Visits 220 Export Companies for Localization Consulting

Branch Office Project Staff Take Direct Action
Identify Export Companies' Questions and Difficulties
Plan to Reflect in Future Support

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA will bring dedicated employees in charge of the branch office project working at KOTRA overseas trade centers back to Korea from the 14th to the 17th to conduct on-site consulting visits to companies.

Forty dedicated employees from 38 overseas trade centers in 25 countries plan to visit 220 participating companies in the branch office project to provide consulting tailored to the characteristics of the local markets. In addition, they will address export-related company inquiries such as ▲logistics and customs clearance ▲payment settlement ▲certification, and identify practical difficulties to reflect in future support.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of KOTRA's branch office project, which supports exports and overseas expansion by having overseas trade centers act as local branches on behalf of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies that find it difficult to establish overseas branches. Companies can utilize the public institution's overseas network as a local business base. There are two types: General Branch Office and Premium Branch Office. General Branch Office support allows companies to choose three out of the following: ▲export contract support ▲management of existing clients ▲brand promotion ▲business trip support ▲assistance in obtaining permits and licenses. Premium Branch Office offers support across various categories and can provide customized support according to company needs.

More than 60,000 companies have received support so far. Aluminum extrusion company A faced difficulties meeting local production requirements due to the implementation of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022. With support from KOTRA's Atlanta Trade Center, company A succeeded in establishing a corporation and securing a factory site. It entered the value chain by partnering with a global electric vehicle group.

Turbine blade manufacturer B first met global company C through KOTRA's marketing project in 2012 but struggled to obtain project information. To resolve this, from 2014, B participated in the Zurich Trade Center's branch office project to receive local market know-how and network support. The trade center introduced B's technology to company C, monitored project information, and facilitated meetings and factory visits. After 11 years of effort, B succeeded in securing an order for nuclear power plant steam turbine blades from the global company.

Support Details for KOTRA Branch Office Project in 2025. Provided by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

This year, support will be provided to about 4,800 companies. The plan is to further strengthen industry-specific expertise, including advanced industries such as future cars and batteries, and national strategic industries such as nuclear power and defense. In addition, overseas trade centers located in promising areas of advanced new industries will be designated as 'Industry-Focused Trade Centers' to enhance overseas expansion consulting by local experts. Collaboration with related institutions in national strategic industry sectors will also expand 'Industry-Specialized Branch Offices.'

Companies interested in the branch office project can check detailed project information and apply on the Export Voucher website. Recruitment is conducted in 6 to 7 rounds throughout the year, and the deadline for the first round of applications is the 17th of this month.

Kang Kyung-sung, President of KOTRA, said, "Visits by dedicated branch office employees to companies are an excellent opportunity to enhance understanding and communication with companies and to establish customized strategies reflecting local market characteristics. Starting with these company visits, we will steadfastly devote ourselves to revitalizing the export activities of our companies throughout this year."

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