Chun Go-eun

Approximately 2,200 Korean exporters had a speed meeting with foreign buyers in Ilsan at KINTEX on March 3. "This is a very rare opportunity where we can meet and introduce our products to foreign buyers without flying out of the country to do so," said a sales manager of Unichem. Here, Korean sellers were given maximum of one hour to introduce their product lines to buyers. According to KOTRA, about 4,400 business meetings were held in Buy Korea 2010.

3D is on fire. The 3D movie Avatar is sweeping 2D movies with a broom, and many fans already await the next 3D movie such as Alice in Wonderland. This is the era where 3D has proven to be the focal point of Hollywood. Korea is launching 3D television programs this year and industries are also gearing up for the 3D Era including medical, advertisement, and construction.

Asia has risen as one of major economic sectors of the world. With the growing economic power of China, especially, Northeast Asia takes an important role in the global economy. Korea is geographically surrounded by countries like China, Japan, and Russia. Being close to global economic leaders could be either an advantage or a disadvantage.

Korean parts and material recorded the trade surplus in 2009 despite of a global economic downturn. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) announced that the country's trade balance last year posted US$51.3 billion with US$171 billion exports and US$119.7 billion imports.

Most of the credit goes to semiconductors, LCDs, electronic components, and optical fibers. It was a record-breaking 2009 for electronic components, for example, it increased by 2.6 percent to set the record at US$63.2 billion.

From a peddler to CEO of a 20 Year Old Boutique in California

The Ministry of Knowledge and Economy in cooperation with  UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) opened IR sessions for Korea-Africa Infrastructure and Energy at Seoul Renaissance Hotel.

At the sessions, agency orders for public businesses and government officials, high ranking officers from UNECA and NEPAD (New Partnership for Development), ambassadors from African countries, and CEOs from construction, plant, and energy corporations participated.

On Monday, December 14th, at 12:30 Choi Kyung-hwan, the minister of knowledge economy, held the "Seoul Japan Club luncheon meeting" at the Mapo Garden Hotel Mugunghwa Hall. There, he listened to suggestions made in relation to corporate activities of Japanese companies residing in Korea, and encouraged Japanese companies with word about an increase in investment funds.