Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Regional Specialized Young Trade Experts Training Project Group (hereafter GTEP Project Group), which has made significant contributions to opening overseas export routes for regional companies by participating in various international trade fairs, has begun full-scale overseas market development activities as COVID-19 eases.

GTEP Project Group students are supporting regional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in entering overseas markets by participating with Jeollabuk-do company '영인바이오' at the 'Interzoo' exhibition held in Nuremberg, Germany from May 24–26, and with regional company '디자인 농부' at the '2022 Thailand Bangkok Food Exhibition' in Bangkok, Thailand, which runs through May 28. At these events they are conducting consultations with overseas buyers to assist regional SMEs' entry into foreign markets.

In addition, from June 2–5 they plan to participate in the 2022 Vietnam International Premium Consumer Goods Fair in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, together with regional companies '캠스텍' and '휴먼피아코스텍' and Gyeonggi-do company '실리팟'. There they will carry out local market analysis, competitor product analysis, partner product analysis, buyer consultations, and on-site contract negotiations.

Through these activities, it is expected that regional SMEs, which have faced many restrictions on overseas market development due to COVID-19, will be able to seek expansion of their sales channels.

Kim Min-ho, Director of the JBNU GTEP Project Group, said, "Although the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet ended and the situation remains difficult, direct meetings with buyers at overseas exhibitions will help students develop practical trade skills and will also be of great assistance to regional SMEs." He added, "To this end, we will make thorough preparations in advance, including holding mock trade fairs with the BK21 B2G Frontier Future Trade Talent Development Project Team."

Meanwhile, the JBNU GTEP Project Group is a global trade talent training program led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and supported by the Korea International Trade Association, the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Government, and the Jeonju City Government. Each year it selects around 35 students and operates a trade expert training program that includes foreign language special lectures, trade theory and practical training, and participation in trade fairs. The program provides students with diverse experiences and supports regional companies in developing new overseas markets.