‘Export Bridgehead’ World Korean Business Convention held at Jeonbuk National University
Agrifood companies export K-food in succession
Bio company hair loss shampoo to Mexico
Crowded booths of 326 companies in Jeonbuk
Transfer of know-how to prospective entrepreneurs
Speaker of the National Assembly “Strengthening the Korean community”
news/cms/202410/22/news-p.v1.20241022.df455a49517f44788430d853ad4f0841_R.jpg" data-width="2835" data-height="1715" /> Enlarge photo The opening ceremony of the 22nd World Korean Business Convention corporate exhibition is being held in a large tent set up at the Chonbuk National University Stadium on the 22nd. [이충우 기자]
The 22nd World Korean Business Convention (Korean Business Convention) led to a substantial investment expansion as an export contract worth $6 million (approximately KRW 8.1 billion) was concluded on the first day of opening on the 22nd.
This year, in particular, the competition was held on the Chonbuk National University campus for the first time, creating a ‘virtuous cycle’ structure in which Korean merchants passed on their know-how to young prospective entrepreneurs.
Although it was rainy and inclement weather, the Chonbuk National University Stadium, where corporate exhibition booths were installed, was crowded with visitors and buyers seeking investment consultations. The booths set up by 326 companies based in the Jeonbuk region ranged from agricultural and livestock industries such as plum juice and chicken to future industries such as hydrogen fuel cells. An official from the Office of Overseas Koreans said, “The number of requests for one-on-one counseling reached about 800 even before the start of the competition.”
![Attendees applaud at the opening ceremony of the 22nd World Korean Business Conference held at the Jeonju Campus of Chonbuk National University on the 22nd. [이승환 기자]](https://i0.wp.com/wimg.mk.co.kr/news/cms/202410/22/news-p.v1.20241022.24791db2cfee4209a027f97fdd678bdb_P1.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
news/cms/202410/22/news-p.v1.20241022.24791db2cfee4209a027f97fdd678bdb_R.jpg" data-width="1000" data-height="667" /> Enlarge photo Attendees are applauding at the opening ceremony of the 22nd World Korean Business Conference held at the Jeonju Campus of Chonbuk National University on the 22nd. [이승환 기자]
At the opening, four companies in the Jeonbuk region achieved a total of 6 million dollars (approximately 8.1 billion won) in export contracts. Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province collaborated with the Overseas Korean Office to identify 500 companies that want to export ahead of this Korean Business Convention, then forwarded the information to members of the World Korean Trade Association (OKTA), Young Business Leaders Network (YBLN), etc. in advance and carried out one-on-one matching. did it Just like ‘Jeonju Bibimbap’, local governments, central government, Korean business groups, and companies worked together to lead to substantial investment expansion. All of the companies that signed export contracts on this day signed export contracts with companies operated by Korean merchants, resulting in the establishment of a ‘Korean merchant economic zone.’
KSI, a road safety facilities company headquartered in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, has decided to export a total of $3 million (about 4.1 billion won) worth of transportation facilities to Hansang in South Africa over the next three years. KSI Chairman Chae Jong-sul said, “It was difficult due to the COVID-19 incident, but we were able to resume exports last year,” and added, “We will increase overseas marketing targeting not only South Africa but also Southeast Asia and the world.”
![On the 22nd, the opening ceremony of the corporate exhibition of the 22nd World Korean Business Convention is being held in a large tent set up at the main stadium of Chonbuk National University. [이충우 기자]](https://i0.wp.com/wimg.mk.co.kr/news/cms/202410/22/news-p.v1.20241022.940b2b2274df420584bee401a10078be_P1.png?w=900&ssl=1)
news/cms/202410/22/news-p.v1.20241022.940b2b2274df420584bee401a10078be_R.png" data-width="2835" data-height="1524" /> Enlarge photo The opening ceremony of the 22nd World Korean Business Convention corporate exhibition is being held in a large tent set up at the Chonbuk National University Stadium on the 22nd. [이충우 기자]
Food companies representing the Jeonbuk region signed export contracts one after another using the Korean Business Convention as a bridgehead. Design Farm, an agricultural company, decided to export black bean powder and protein shakes worth a total of $1 million (about 1.4 billion won) to Australia. Food company Foodware decided to export $1 million to the Netherlands.
PSB Bio, a bio-microorganism company, has succeeded in exporting scalp care products to a Mexican company. Namgung Soo-jung, CEO of PSB Bio, said, “This is a microorganism-based shampoo that emits far-infrared rays, which has led to exports as it has been recognized as having an excellent effect on hair loss by helping blood circulation.” He also added, “At the company level, this competition has diversified the export structure and taken a step forward.” “I hope this will be an opportunity to upgrade,” he said.
![Lee Sang-deok, head of the Office of Overseas Koreans, is making an opening declaration at the World Korean Business Convention held at Chonbuk National University in Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do on the afternoon of the 22nd. [사진 = 연합뉴스]](https://i0.wp.com/wimg.mk.co.kr/news/cms/202410/22/rcv.YNA.20241022.PYH2024102219700001301_P1.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
news/cms/202410/22/rcv.YNA.20241022.PYH2024102219700001301_R.jpg" data-width="2835" data-height="2036" /> Enlarge photo Lee Sang-deok, head of the Office of Overseas Koreans, is making an opening declaration at the World Korean Business Convention held at Chonbuk National University in Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do on the afternoon of the 22nd. [사진 = 연합뉴스]
Lee Sang-deok, head of the Office of Overseas Koreans, said, “We hope that business exchanges between overseas Korean businessmen and domestic businesspeople will expand through this competition,” adding, “We will provide one-on-one export consultation opportunities to ensure that many practical results, such as export contracts, can be achieved.” Kim Gwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, also emphasized, “We will continue to consider providing diverse support to small and medium-sized enterprises in our region to develop overseas markets and strengthen export capabilities.”
The welcome dinner held this afternoon was popular as Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province served bibimbap, the representative dish of Jeonju. After the opening ceremony, while moving to the banquet hall, the Korean merchants attracted attention by wearing attire made by a hanbok master in Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. An official from Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province said, “We wanted to convey the ‘taste of Jeonbuk’ by presenting bibimbap made with special products of the Jeonbuk region to Korean merchants.” He added, “Korean merchants who visited Jeonju from various countries and businessmen from Jeonbuk region harmonized like bibimbap to create a local “We look forward to revitalizing the economy.” About 3,000 people from over 40 countries around the world attended this Korean Business Convention.
[특별취재팀 = 송성훈 산업부장, 정승환 기자, 김규식 기자, 이용익 기자, 송경은 기자, 성승훈 기자, 박윤균 기자, 이종화 기자, 이효석 기자, 한창호 기자 / 사진 = 이충우 기자, 이승환 기자]
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