KITA hosts trade forum with chief trade negotiator, gathering 10 exporters

Government trade policy and trade agreements discussed

Exporters voice concerns and recommendations on key trade issues

Korea International Trade Association Vice Chairman Lee In-ho (second from left) delivers opening remarks at the "Trade Forum with the Chief Trade Negotiator" held at Trade Tower in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Friday. [Korea International Trade Association]

The Korea International Trade Association hosted a trade industry forum Friday at Trade Tower in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with Park Jeong-seong, chief trade negotiator at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as the guest of honor.

The forum was organized to share the government's approach to major trade issues and to channel exporters' concerns and recommendations into trade policy discussions and free trade agreement negotiations. Ten leading export companies from the automotive, electronics, steel, home appliance, semiconductor and food sectors attended.

KITA Vice Chairman Lee In-ho said the government and industry must communicate and cooperate closely as uncertainty in the trade environment has grown. "It is essential that the voices from the field be reflected in the government's external negotiations and policies, so that our companies can export on terms no less favorable than those of their competitors," he said.

In response, Park said the ultimate goal of trade policy is to expand the space in which Korean companies can secure more opportunities and operate with stability in global markets. "We will actively respond to major trade risks while broadening our companies' options through export market diversification and supply chain stabilization," he said.

KITA said it plans to continue gathering industry feedback on trade difficulties by sector and on trade agreement issues, relay those views to the government, and share major trade policy developments with the business community.

Meanwhile, KITA has been stepping up efforts to help exporters win new customers and expand overseas, including co-organizing the AI Summit Seoul & Expo with COEX and DMK Global, scheduled for Sept. 19 at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu.

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