Seoul City Supports Companies Expanding Overseas with 'K-Quarantine'

First Half Public-Private Cooperation Forum ... Policy Transfer to Partner Cities
Support for Introduction and Export Expansion of COVID-19 Related Medical Equipment

At the '2020 First Half Public-Private Cooperation Forum' held on the 2nd, Baehyeon-sook, Seoul City International Cooperation Officer, is delivering the opening address.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Amid the global focus on 'K-quarantine' during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the '2020 First Half Public-Private Cooperation Forum' on the 2nd. The city shared excellent policies in the K-quarantine sector implemented during the COVID-19 response process, as well as cases of private companies expanding overseas.

The event was held online and broadcast live in real-time on Seoul City's official YouTube channel and 'Live Seoul'.

As infectious diseases spread, major cities around the world recognized the importance of investing in basic infrastructure such as medical systems along with emergency disaster measures. At the same time, they are making every effort to maintain urban safety and functionality.

From the early stages of COVID-19, Seoul quickly formed a 'Rapid Response Team' at the city level to deploy quarantine personnel promptly, conducted active diagnostic testing and epidemiological investigations, implemented isolation measures for confirmed cases and contacts, and strengthened communication with citizens to minimize the spread of infectious diseases and public confusion. In this process, the capabilities of public medical foundations such as municipal hospitals also provided strong support.

Going forward, the city plans to continuously transfer such policies to overseas partner cities and strengthen disaster response capabilities through collaboration with the central government, overseas business agencies, and international organizations.

At the forum, KOTRA shared the COVID-19 response status of its trade offices in Brazil and Kuwait and conveyed interest in K-quarantine, presenting practical support measures for Korean companies. The Korea Health Industry Development Institute introduced essential COVID-19 related medical equipment such as Korean-made medical devices and diagnostic kits to overseas buyers and provided support for export approval and customs clearance procedures.

In the quarantine and medical device sector, the private company 'Seegene' plans to expand export volumes based on its experience exporting diagnostic kits and equipment to Italy, Brazil, and other countries. 'Green Pure Tech' is also increasing its client base by leveraging export cases of mobile walking-through screening clinic equipment to Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and other countries.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Overseas City Cooperation Officer said, "As COVID-19 spreads, the public nature of disaster response is emphasized worldwide, and mutual cooperation between city governments has become more important in international development cooperation projects. Based on Seoul's experience so far, we will actively share quarantine policies and cooperate with related companies to support private companies' overseas expansion without hesitation."