KOTRA AI Trade Support Center Achieves Results in Expanding Exports

73 Gyeongbuk SMEs Achieve First Exports This Year
Growth in Export Volume and New Listings on Global Online Platforms

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on December 26 that its AI-based export support program, promoted through the "AI Trade Support Center," has produced tangible results in the field. According to KOTRA, 73 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Gyeongbuk region with no prior export experience succeeded in making their first overseas exports this year alone, thanks to initiatives led by the Gyeongbuk AI Trade Support Center.

KOTRA's program targeted local companies that faced difficulties entering overseas markets due to a lack of English product information, visual content, and competitive analysis materials, especially as digital marketing becomes increasingly important. The integrated support system-from AI-powered product analysis to the creation of promotional content and buyer connections-proved highly effective.

The exterior view of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. KOTRA

This initiative, supported by Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju City, is an AI-based export support project implemented by the Gyeongbuk AI Trade Support Center to help local SMEs expand overseas. Using AI solutions, the center analyzed the features and differentiators of each company's products, converted this information into English, and assisted in producing short-form video content of about one minute for each company.

As a result, videos from 125 out of the 190 participating companies were posted on global social media platforms and YouTube, surpassing a cumulative 1.05 million views. By gauging overseas demand through these video contents and linking the interest to follow-up consultations, the number of buyer meetings reached 277, a fourfold increase from the previous year. Sixteen overseas trade offices-including those in China, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania-participated in the project, selecting and verifying buyers based on market potential in each country.

Seventy-three companies with no prior export experience achieved their first overseas sales, while 43 companies that already exported increased their export volume. Additionally, 101 companies succeeded in newly listing their products on overseas online platforms.

The export support model of the AI Trade Support Center-which encompasses AI-based product analysis, overseas promotion using digital content, market response monitoring, and follow-up consultations-is being recognized as highly effective.

KOTRA stated that these results demonstrate the effectiveness of the 20 AI Trade Support Centers operating nationwide. By utilizing AI for content creation and buyer discovery, even regional companies lacking manpower and experience are now able to access global markets. KOTRA plans to expand the Gyeongbuk AI Trade Support Center case to all 20 centers nationwide to enhance regional export support and integrate it with strategies for advancing the AI trade and investment support system.

Lee Junghoon, Vice President and Head of the AI Trade and Investment Division at KOTRA, said, "AI-based export support has led to proven cases of local SMEs making their first overseas market entries. Through the nationwide AI Trade Center network, we will expand support based on AI, content, and consultations so that even companies lacking manpower and experience can access the global market."