KOTRA Dispatches Delegation for Global Exchange in Defense and Aviation Sectors

29 Cases of Consultation Record $12 Million in Consultation Amount

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA dispatched the 'Korea-Brazil Defense and Aviation Delegation' to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for three days starting from the 7th. This delegation is the second cooperative project conducted with the Global Industrial Cooperation Association (GICA) and was organized to expand exchanges between Korean companies and global defense and aviation companies.

Korea-Brazil defense and aerospace delegation discussing business at the Global Industry Cooperation Association (GICA) consultation held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Photo by KOTRA

GICA is an organization established in the United States in 1987 for networking between global defense·aviation companies and government officials. To expand the supply chain in the materials·parts·equipment (SoBuJang) sector, including offset trade, it holds conferences worldwide every year.

At this event held in Brazil, about 16 leading global defense and aviation companies such as Lockheed Martin, Leonardo, and Embraer participated and held consultations with 8 domestic defense companies and related institutions. A total of 29 consultations were conducted, with consultation amounts reaching 12 million USD.

KOTRA explained, "In the case of Embraer, it is the manufacturer of the C-390, which was finally selected last year as the model for the Republic of Korea Air Force's second transport aircraft," adding, "We expect this event to provide an opportunity for our companies to actively enter the transport aircraft manufacturing supply chain."

Earlier, at a pre-briefing session held on the 2nd for 23 domestic companies, Embraer's public relations and procurement officers participated as speakers to introduce the company and present purchasing policies, project progress, and cooperation plans with domestic companies. An Embraer official said, "We are always open to collaboration with Korean companies that have technological capabilities and price competitiveness," and added, "We expect this to expand further in the future."

Lee Jae-sik, head of KOTRA's Defense Materials Trade Support Center, said, "Collaboration with GICA is a great opportunity to expand the entry of our defense and aviation companies into the global supply chain," and added, "We will actively support the overseas expansion of our companies through this event."