Hong Ki-hwa, CEO and president of GSBC is behind the organization's visible changes and strong performance. He has led the agency dedicated to promoting trade for SMEs in Gyeonggi province in 2008. Before joining GSBC, he worked as president of KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center) and president of KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency).
Under his leadership, the GSBC has internally undergone a series of significant changes, designed to revitalize the organization. He was also praised for nurturing G-Fair Korea into Korea's largest trade fair for SMEs, in fact as well as in name.
G-FAIR KOREA has been positioned as one of the most important trade fairs for SMEs in Korea. Could you give a more detailed introduction about the G-FAIR
Since G-FAIR KOREA was launched in 1999 with the aim of helping SMEs have better access to new markets at home and abroad, G-FAIR KOREA has become a significant marketing outlet devoted to SMEs from all types of industry, different from the traditional trade shows taking place by industry. In its 16th edition this year, G-FAIR KOREA 2013 will feature a selection of new technologies and items from the nation’s excellent small enterprises and venture companies.
In a bid to generate much more business opportunities, we are inviting big buyers from home and abroad. About 400 overseas buyers will visit the upcoming show through our network of branches of the Gyeonggi Business Center (GBC), based in the BRICS nations. Around 400 Korean retail marketers and buyers from the distribution industry and public firms will also be invited to 2013 G-FAIR KOREA.
Then, would you please describe some of the key features of 2013 G-FAIR
Most of all, we are designing hall organization by industry for a specialized trade show. And exhibiting companies will be able to have one-on-one sales talks with invited overseas and domestic buyers who plan to visit their booth. The hall organization taking place by industry is possible due to advantage of the KINTEX’s 2nd exhibition hall that was opened in 2011.
Secondly, this year’s event will be held concurrently with the GBEX-2013 KOREA Small Business Expo, as this is a win-win situation all round. At this country-wide trade fair, microenterprises will be able to enjoy the benefits of promoting their items to more people, while G-FAIR KOREA will have a better chance to grow into an international trade fair representing Korea’s SEMs, microenterprises and Korea’s franchise business. Visitors will be given a good chance to learn about trends and status of Korea’s franchise business and food industry as well as the nation’s manufacturing industry under one roof.
Lastly, 2013 G-FAIR KOREA takes place from a Korean national holiday, Hangeul Day for four days, increasing the opportunity for the general public to visit the upcoming show.
What main events are you preparing for the upcoming 2013 G-FAIR KOREA
With the exhibition attended by about 1,600 booths for the four-day period, we are arranging one-on-one foreign buyer meetings, export consulting meetings, purchasing talks attended by Korea’s leading retail marketers as well as seminars about diverse issues such as FTA and the furniture industry. We are fully concentrating on efforts to ensure that these programs can help small and medium-sized enterprises to generate business outcomes. For higher success rate, we are arranging prior match-making system between exhibitors and buyers.
There seem to be many unfavorable economic challenges facing the Korea’s SMEs. As a supporter and partner for them, what plans are being implemented by the GSBC
We have five keywords in mind – coexistence, export, small business owners, development of specialized business project and customer satisfaction.
First of all, GSBC is figuring out how conglomerates and SMEs can secure mutual development, which is one of hottest topics in the society. For a case in point, we successfully arranged purchasing consultation meetings between SMEs and conglomerates last year. Regarding export, GSBC is making all-out efforts in helping outstanding Korean SMEs to make new market entry through exhibitions and overseas export consultation meetings.
Our third key word is microenterprises. We are very aware that they have been playing a part in the Korean economy and they are likely to be one of the hardest hit at this bad economic time. GSBC will offer diverse supports including training/consulting tailored to make successful long-run management possible as well as financial supports. We are also planning to identify specialty business fit for regional advantages in Gyeonggi province. In a similar development, we are redoubling efforts to support textile and furniture industries within Northern Gyeonggi province. Lastly, we will continue to strive to make GSBC a customer-oriented organization that boosts mutual development with our key customers, SMEs in Korea.
