Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Gyeongnam FTA Utilization Support Center Ranks 2nd Nationwide in Ministry of Trade Evaluation

Playing a Central Role in Supporting Export-Oriented Small and Medium Enterprises

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] The Gyeongnam FTA Utilization Support Center, operated by the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gyeongnam, achieved 2nd place among 18 centers nationwide in the regional FTA center project performance evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The Gyeongnam FTA Utilization Support Center received a score of 92 in the '2022 Regional Center Evaluation,' which assessed projects supporting the use of FTA agreements that South Korea has signed with 59 countries worldwide for export purposes. This score significantly exceeded the national average of 76, earning recognition as a central organization supporting export SMEs in the Gyeongnam region.

Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gyeongnam.

This achievement is due to the center's excellent performance in practical FTA agreement utilization support, including ▲achieving FTA utilization rate targets for local companies ▲discovering and supporting SMEs not yet utilizing FTAs ▲providing FTA consulting to 224 companies in key industries in Gyeongnam ▲training 345 companies ▲holding briefings and meetings with 127 companies.

In particular, the center strategically supported export promotion using FTAs by directly dispatching customs officers to operate FTA consultation offices in areas such as Changwon Industrial Complex, Gimhae, Yangsan, Jinju, Sacheon, Miryang, and Haman. They conducted 1,591 expert consultations through on-site visits to 741 small and medium export companies, which is a significant accomplishment.

Gu Kyung-ryeol, head of the Gyeongnam FTA Utilization Support Center, said, “This good result in the evaluation was thanks to the high interest of SMEs in the Gyeongnam region in utilizing FTAs for exports.” He added, “This year, we plan to expand our efforts by adding projects such as discovering trade difficulties, analyzing export markets of FTA partner countries, supporting direct online exports, and operating the FTA Trade Promotion Platform to promote FTA utilization exports in Gyeongnam.”