¡®Trader of the Month¡¯ to Honor Korea¡¯s Enthusiastic Exporters
South Korea has become a major player among the world¡¯s top exporting nations. Exports account for around half of the world¡¯s 11th largest Korean economy.

In early November, Korea¡¯s Ministry of Knowledge Economy announced that the nation's exports totaled $455.4 billion in the first 10 months of this year, while imports amounted to $433.1 billion over the same period, adding up to a total trade volume of $888.5 billion.

Despite the recent tougher conditions due to the global economy¡¯s slump, a lot of Korea¡¯s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as top-notch companies have been eager to make highest-quality products targeting the fiercely competitive global market, contributing to the growth of the regional economy.

Aiming to further motivate the Korean export industry, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Korea International Trade Association and Korea Economic Daily have since 2007 been jointly awarding the SMEs ¡®Trader of the Month¡¯ after a rigorous screening processes.

Every month, two exporters have been chosen among candidates and awarded the Trader of the Month through strict criteria such as the export record, technical development and achievements in the global markets in order to boost Korea¡¯s export businesses and to raise their morale.

As of the end of November 2012, a total of 108 enterprises have been awarded among many candidates. In addition, the Trader of the Year is selected from among the Trader of the Month awardees at the end of the year. Korea¡¯s Buyers Guide, in conjunction with KITA (Korea International Trade Association), describes and recommends these Korean manufacturers that were awarded the Trader of the Month this year to international buyers and marketers.

ESTECHPHARMA Co., Ltd., headed by Mr. Kim Jae-chul, was awarded the 47th Trader of the Month award for achieving the excellent export performance in the global market. Founded in 1996, ESTECHPHARMA Co., Ltd. (http://estechpharma.com) is an active pharmaceutical company in Korea which is engaged in developing and marketing first generic versions of the drugs that provide the same efficacy as the patented original drugs after their patent expires.

With extensive experience and competitive technologies built up over more than 10 years, P&Tech Co., Ltd. (www.p-tech2000.com) is engaged in developing and manufacturing semiconductor equipment and solar cell equipment. Semiconductor, solar cell and furnace equipment that the company produces have been exported to 20 countries.

Mr. Im Seung-joon, CEO of IDOIT Co., Ltd. (www.i-do-it.co.kr) was awarded the 46th Trader of the Month Award for his contribution in achieving the excellent export performance of IDOIT, a Korean manufacturer of satellite TV antenna targeting the global market. With overseas experience in marketing TVs for LG Electronics, Mr. Im started Neovia, an LCD TV manufacturer in 2002, and established Skytoyou, a former company of IDOIT a few years later. Since its inception in 2006, IDOIT has developed flat-type satellite TV antennas under its own brand name of SELFSAT. SELFSAT is a flat-type satellite TV antenna that has been certified by ASTRA and EUTELSAT, Europe¡¯s two major satellites. SELFSAT was supplied to Canal+, a major satellite broadcasting companies in France.

Mr. Kim Sang-don, CEO of Wonyoung Seal Corporation (wonyoung.co.kr) was awarded the 45th Trader of the Month for his contribution in achieving the excellent export performance of Wonyoung Seal Corporation, a Korea¡¯s hydraulic and pneumatic sealing product company.

Mr. Yoon Suk-bong, president of Ilkwang Metal Forming Co., Ltd.

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KITA to Boost Korea¡¯s Trade Sector  [Issue No. 462]