Thanks to the trade mission, we were able to enter the European market, which is difficult even for large corporations.
A trade mission is a program in which local governments, the Small and Medium Business Corporation, and KOTRA select small and medium-sized businesses wishing to expand overseas and connect them with local companies. It is part of the local small and medium business export marketing project that the Small and Medium Business Administration and the Small and Medium Business Corporation have been implementing since 2009.
There are also places that have opened up ‘export channels’. Taeil Industrial Co., which produces pipe fittings, won a contract worth 350 million won from a Middle Eastern company in October last year. It was the first export in 22 years of business. Cho Gil-rae, CEO of Taeil Industrial Company, said, “We have been supplying competitive products based on our long experience in the domestic market, but we had a lot of trouble finding buyers overseas due to low awareness.” He added, “As we participated in the business, we continuously consulted with buyers to overcome barriers to entry into overseas markets. “I overcame it,” he said.
Wi Bong-soo, head of the export support department at the Small and Medium Business Administration, emphasized, “The local small and medium-sized enterprise export marketing project is providing a good opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses planning to export,” and added, “We will actively support overseas marketing to foster small export companies.”
Reporter Jo Ah-ran archo@hankyung.com
https://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2017032715011
