The Regional Specialized Youth Trade Experts Training Project Group (hereinafter the GTEP Project Group), led by Project Group Director Kim Min-ho, Professor, Department of International Trade, recently participated in the 2022 ASD Market Week held in Las Vegas, United States, achieving results in opening overseas sales channels for regional companies.

The ASD consumer goods exhibition, which boasts a 60-year tradition, featured approximately 1,500 companies from 75 countries and occupied about 4,200 booths. The event showcased a wide range of consumer goods, including gifts, promotional items, stationery and character goods, cosmetics and beauty products, home fashion and interior items, and food products.

The project group participated in the fair with five industry–university collaboration companies from the region: ㈜아임, ㈜익산주얼리체인, 클릭네이처, ㈜아이디어마을, and ㈜에스엔플러스. The project group deployed students including Shin Jun-su (Department of Agricultural Economics), Kim Si-yeon (Department of International Trade), Lim Se-rim (Department of Chinese Language & Literature), Hwang Deok-geon (Department of International Trade), Heo Jeong-woo (Department of International Trade), and Kim Tae-rim (Department of International Trade). They supported the full range of activities needed for companies to enter overseas markets, from product promotion to export consultations with foreign buyers, sample sales, and local market research.

At the fair, ㈜아임 conducted an average of 20 consultations per day, earned $20,000 from on-site sample sales, and engaged in contract negotiations exceeding $50,000.

㈜익산주얼리체인 held 40 consultations, earned $1,500 from on-site sample sales, and engaged in contract negotiations exceeding $20,000. 클릭네이처 held around 50 consultations, which helped establish a foothold for overseas export contracts. ㈜아이디어마을 is pursuing an $8,000 export contract following consultations with seven major buyers, and ㈜에스엔플러스 held about 27 consultations and discussed matters such as minimum order quantities and OEM feasibility, with contract discussions ongoing.

Kim Min-ho, GTEP Project Group Director, said that it is very meaningful for students to participate in the entire process of helping regional companies expand overseas, thereby developing practical trade skills and producing positive results for companies that face difficulties in opening overseas sales channels. He added that the project group will actively support regional companies' market development by participating in the Singapore International Food and Beverage Exhibition in September, the Paris International Food Exhibition in October, and the Cosmoprof exhibition in Singapore in November.

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) GTEP Project Group is a global trade talent development program organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and supported by the Korea International Trade Association, the Jeonbuk Provincial Government, and the Jeonju City Government. Each year the program selects around 35 students and operates a trade expert training program that includes foreign language seminars, trade theory and practical training, and participation in trade fairs. It also supports promising regional export companies by providing interpretation and export-related assistance at domestic and overseas exhibitions.