KITA Chairman Kim Thanks Country, Government for Record Exports This Year
-With pledge to do more to hike exports overcoming difficulties

Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association(KITA) Kim Jae-chul, in his opening speech at the ceremony marking the 41st Trade Day, said the nation's exports are likely to reach $250 billion this year, after surging past the $200 billion mark a month ago. He would like to share the joy with the government and people who supported the export community, because he feels the record could not have been set without their support.
From early on this year, the export community has had to grapple with many adversities including high raw material and oil prices on top of the weak dollar, but has been coping with them wisely.
He said the export firms would continue to fight these challenges and overcome them to make contributions to the national economy to achieve $300 billion and $400 billion in exports in the-not-too-distant future and $20,000 in per capita income.
At the moment, our hand phones, cars, home appliances, and vessels, among others, are being well received in the world market with our IT technology leading the world. But we would try harder so that our products will be loved in all corners of the world, the KITA chairman said. In this connection, our industry will rearm itself with the spirit of challenge and bring a step up the quality of our technology and products, he said.
At the same time, we will try to create a synergistic force for the overall economy through closer cooperation and strategic tie up among large firms and large firms and small firms to boost our country's international competitive power.
He said he hoped that the government would continue to provide support to the export community so that each member would work to the fullest of its reach as an entrepreneur.
President Roh, despite his busy schedule, took time out for Summit Diplomatic Sales and Raw Materials Diplomacy, to provide support to overseas business activities of our companies. Our export firms will set higher targets by mastering the world level management skills and doubling their efforts for market exploration to be a major player in the world stage.
He ended his speech by thanking President Roh, the government and related agencies and those in the export community themselves for their support and efforts to increase exports for this year. nw