Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) signed an export agreement worth 1 million USD for agricultural specialty products at the Dubai distributor ‘1004 GOURMET’ on the 15th.
According to the city on the 16th, Mayor Yoon Byung-tae departed on the 14th for a 2-night, 4-day trip to explore export channels for agricultural products to the UAE.
The delegation included City Council member Kim Hae-won, representatives from export-participating companies such as Naju Pear Horticultural Cooperative, Golden Hill, Wando Mulsan, Gabo Farms, and 11 staff members from the distribution administration team.
Naju City signed an export agreement worth 1 million dollars for agricultural specialty products with '1004 GOURMET,' a Korean distribution company based in the UAE. [Photo by Naju City]
On the previous day’s first official schedule, Mayor Yoon visited the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai and held a meeting with Consul General Moon Byung-joon to discuss ways to promote the export and market expansion of local agricultural products.
Mayor Yoon shared an anecdote about Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) covering 20 million KRW worth of Naju pears on behalf of the UAE as part of offset trade balance payments.
At that time, a UAE royal family member who received the Naju pears gifted them to a nearby Omani royal family member, who was so impressed by the taste that they requested additional orders.
Mayor Yoon stated, “In the 8th term of the elected administration, we have declared a vision for producing and distributing high-quality Naju pears and are implementing policies to cultivate a premium brand fruit loved worldwide. We will send early-season pears in August as a gift to the UAE royal family through the Consulate General so they can enjoy the premium Naju pears.”
He added, “Please actively promote Naju pears so they become a beloved fruit among the UAE royal family and citizens,” and requested that the five boxes of Singo pears he brought be delivered to the royal family through the Consulate General.
Following the visit to the Consulate General, Mayor Yoon signed an export agreement worth 1 million USD for Naju City’s agricultural specialty products with 1004 GOURMET (Chairman Shin Dong-chul), a Korean distribution company in Dubai, UAE.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mayor Yoon, Consul General Moon, Chairman Shin Dong-chul of 1004 GOURMET, Kim Hyuk, head of the Dubai branch of Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), and representatives from four local companies.
Naju City and 1004 GOURMET agreed to actively cooperate in administrative support for the local distribution of Naju agricultural and marine products in Dubai and securing sales channels for agricultural specialty products.
Mayor Yoon conducted a tasting marketing event for Naju pears and pear juice inside the 1004 GOURMET store, promoting the excellence of Naju pears, which are top in taste and health, to local customers.
He then hosted a consultation meeting at the Dubai overseas branch of Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) with purchasing managers and buyers from ‘Union Coop,’ a major UAE distributor, to explore export channels for agricultural products.
Mayor Yoon listened to explanations from Kim Hyuk, head of aT Dubai, about halal livestock product exports to the Middle East including the UAE, examples from other countries, and halal-certified slaughterhouses, and discussed export plans for Naju Korean beef linked to the Middle Eastern market.
On the 16th, Mayor Yoon and the delegation visited the largest fresh produce market in the UAE.
In particular, they visited the ‘K-Fresh zone,’ a Korean fresh agricultural product promotion center supported and operated by aT within the market, and held discussions with officials to promote Naju agricultural specialty products locally and to target the Middle Eastern market.
Mayor Yoon said, “Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the complete abolition of export logistics cost support from 2024, exporting farmers are facing increased difficulties. We will do our best to contribute to farmers’ income by pioneering overseas export markets in the Middle East including the UAE through this agreement.”
Naju = Kim Yuk-bong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr
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