KTNET, E-Trade
Pioneer
Undergoes changes and innovations

E-trade is shifting the global trade paradigm in the 21st century. Korea Trade Network (KTNET) is a pioneer of the new e-trade frontier, playing an essential role in paperless trade, seamless integration and trade competition.
Since its inception in 1991, KTNET has exerted itself to realize a paperless trade and it is now taking the lead in efforts to reduce auxiliary trade expenses through digitalization of an EDI-type system and online distribution of about 3200 kinds of export/import documents.
Take a look into the chronology of the company. In November 1992, KTNET concluded a basic agreement with Korea Customers Service for building and operation of an EDI-type custom-clearance automation system. KCS is now recognized for having established one of the best custom clearance systems in the world.
KTNET does not rest on its laurels and the company is undergoing changes and innovations.
"Things have changed much in the past one year and much more changes and innovations will be made,"CEO & President Ryu Chang-moo said during interviews with reporters. Summing up his one year as the head of KTNET on November 8, Ryu said the face of KTNET will be quite more different as for the next one year, the company will strive for ensuring customer-oriented management, creating revenues through exploring new businesses and expanding global business exploration.
A ranking government official-turned CEO, Ryu has attached management priority on changes and innovations since he was inaugurated as KTNET CEO. He resigned from an administrator of the Small and Medium Business Administration, ending his 25 year-old public officialdom career.
In reality, with Ryu taking the helm, KTNET has undergone tremendous changes. It declared KTNET Vision, calling for 100 billion won in 2010, for the first time in its corporate history and took such actions as a reshuffle of executives, introduction of multi-source assessment system and recruitment of new company officials in a bid to invigorate the slumped organization.
"The business environment surrounding KTNET is changing much. The important thing it must do is to make KTNET a customer-oriented one by infusing staffs with a service mindset, he noted. KTNET has launched customer satisfaction program like Customer Satisfaction 333, but they are only the beginning of what our company seek to do,"Ryu added.
KTNET still has the practices deriving from those by the past leased line carrier, which have to be overhauled on a constant basis, and external changes and innovations have been made to some extent, said Ryu, adding that during his second year as KTNET CEO, he will put priority on chemical and software change and innovations. To this end, the themes of Friday forms targeting all staff members include such topics as entrepreneurship and service mindset.
CEO Ryu is putting more energy into exploring overseas markets. This is construed as KTNET's determination to serve as both the exporters?business partner and exporting leader. KTNET succeeded in getting a foothold in the sector as the company signed a deal on exporting customs clearance system to Kazakhstan on October 11.
In Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, KTNET held a signing ceremony and kick-off meeting for the 'First-Phase BPR/ISP Consulting Project' for establishment and modernization of Kazakhstan's customs administration. Under the US$550,000 project, to be carried out jointly with Samsung SDS and Samsung Corp., KTNET will conduct ISP/BPR consulting for automation of Kazakhstan's customs clearance system until March next year. This will mark the first export of the customs clearance system, a core element of Korea's domestic e-trade infrastructure. In the course of promoting the project, Korea Customs Service was involved actively and made necessary arrangements, even assuring provision of its operating technology for customs administration. As a result, it is considered an exemplary model of private sector-government cooperation.
With the designation of Korean enterprises to execute the first-phase project, in particular, Korea is expected to be in an advantageous position for the follow-on second-phase project estimated at $30-$40 million. In addition, KTNET? efforts to export the system to Panama, Vietnam, Kyrgystan, El Salvador and Dominican Republic, will get a boost. Kazakhstan has selected the Korean customs clearance system after examining those of seven countries, including Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, proving the excellence of the Korean system. nw

KTNET CEO & President Ryu Chang-moo shakes hands with his Kazakhstan counterpart after signing a deal on exporting customs clearance system to Kazakhstan on October 11.