:: Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)

KOTRA came into being as the Korea Trade Promotion Corporation, a nonprofit governmental organization established June 21st, 1962 to pursue the national policy goals of maintaining the trade balance and building a self-reliant economy. For almost four decades, KOTRA has contributed to the development of the Korean economy through various trade promotion activities, such as trade information, market research services and business matchmaking. With its long-term experience and expertise, KOTRA stands fully ready to serve and assist all interested parties worldwide to do business with Korea. In August 1995, KOTRA added cross-border investment promotion and support for technological and industrial cooperation projects to its mandate, assuming its present name of the "Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.¡± Since the economic crisis of 1997, the Korean government has been pursuing a strategy of encouraging exports and inducing foreign investment in the belief such a two-fold approach is the only way to return the country to prosperity and sustainable growth. KOTRA is committed to playing a key role in the implementation of this policy. In order to execute its mandate more efficiently, KOTRA has built an extensive worldwide network of overseas Korea Trade Centers (KTC). Some 98 KTCs operate in 72 countries as of March 2002.

:: KOTRA NORTH AMERICA

KOTRA has a strong presence in North America with 12 Korean Trade Centers across the United States and Canada. These centers can help potential customers in the following areas: Business Matchmaking On request, KOTRA introduces importers to the most appropriate business partners in Korea through our wideranging inquiry network as well as business meetings held year round. KOTRA also operates a Buyer Service Center at our head office, where buyers visiting Korea can receive assistance in arranging business meetings with Korea companies and collect information on Korean products and suppliers. Trade Missions KOTRA organizes trade missions to enable Korean companies better penetrate world markets. KOTRA's trade mission program is undertaken mainly for the needs of small-and medium-sized companies, many of whom do not have their own overseas marketing capability. Exhibitions KOTRA organizes international exhibitions in Korea and arranges the participation of Korean companies in similar events overseas. Each year thousands of domestic firms participate in KOTRA-organized international trade fairs and exhibitions. displaying their growing diversity and sophistication of products and services. SETEC KOTRA operates the newly built Seoul Trade Exhibition Center (SETEC), which has been designed to offer a state-of-the-art venue for foreign exhibitors on very attractive terms. For more information on these services, as well as contact information for the Korean Trade Centers, please visit KOTRA North America's website at http://www.kotrana.com/en/.