Dear Readers,

•    January has already passed but ‘uncertainty’ is still this year’s buzzword in the business community. We’re facing unfavorable external conditions stemming from rising protectionism due to the ‘America First’ strategy of the new U.S. administration, China’s ‘China Inside’ policy and the United Kingdom’s ‘Hard Brexit’. Such unstable social, political and economic conditions are fueling uncertainty.
•    Amid this rapidly changing environment, I spent a very busy month traveling around the world, looking for answers on how to lead KOTRA and what value we can bring to our clients. During my visits to Hangzhou, Miami and Santo Domingo, I shared ideas on how we can respond to the shifting economic climate with the heads of our overseas trade offices in 43 regions. Back in Korea, I discussed opportunities to tap into markets around the world with business people and relevant government officials at the ‘2017 Forum on Global Market Entry’.
•    While travelling in and out of Korea, it became clear to me that despite concerns, new and exciting roads are emerging from these changes. Most notably, we can seize markets arising from the transformation of economic fundamentals and industries. There are hidden opportunities in infrastructure building, manufacturing protection, product innovation, the fourth industrial revolution and domestic market expansion.
•    These opportunities can be found through cooperation between our foreign partners and Korean companies. I firmly believe that we can tide over a rising wave of uncertainties through intimate partnerships. In this phase of the global economy, we at KOTRA will strive to be your link to success by seeking new areas of trade and investment.

Sincerely,


Jaehong Kim / President & CEO of KOTRA