The SNIP is taking the lead in helping companies expand exports via a wide array of events and programs
BusinessKorea had an interview with Kim Bong-han, President of the Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency (SNIP) to let readers learn more about its activities and performance.
First of all, what does the SNIP do to promote the exports and business of companies in Seongnam?
The SNIP was established to improve business management, increase sales and exports and strengthen the competitiveness of companies in the Seongnam area through comprehensive and systematic support. We support companies by pushing ahead with overseas business development. We also hold the Medi Bio Plaza and the Seongnam Excellent Products Show to match foreign buyers with promising export companies in Seongnam. We help companies take part in various trade shows at home and abroad to publicize their products and services. We also donated accounts for alibaba.com, the biggest electronic trade site in the world, to 61 companies so that they can expand their exports via the Internet.
2009 has been a tough year for the Korean economy. But, the SNIP endeavored to support the industry in Seongnam. Would you explain more about the highlights of SNIP activities this year?
This year, we laid the foundation for focusing on developing the game and IPTV industries by establishing the Global Game Hub Center and the Global IPTV Center, two big projects of the Korean government. The Korean government agreed to establish the Global Game Hub Center with Microsoft to make Korea one of the three top notions which can create fine game contents. The government, Microsoft, local autonomy units and private companies are planning to nurture 300 game companies and 2,000 game professionals by investing a total of 100 billion won by 2012.
In addition, SNIP with the KoDiMA and IPTV companies, such as KT, SK Broadband and LG Dacom launched the Global IPTV Center at Kins Tower in Seongnam City on September 30. The center offers not only public services, such as education and medical services via the IPTV, but also company-supporting services such as contents production and commercialization, human resources development as well as giving a helping hand to those who want to start companies. This project is expected to create 180 billion won in production inducement effects by 2014, 55 billion won in added new value creation, nurture 100 companies and create 3,000 new jobs. The SNIP strived to help companies in Seongnam which suffered an economic slump and sluggish sales. We supported the overseas marketing of a total of 402 companies, such as participation in overseas exhibitions (nine times), dispatching market development teams (four times) and holding export shows for foreign buyers (three times).
How does the SNIP help foreign buyers who want to make good deals with companies in Seongnam? Do you have any exemplary cases you can tell our readers?
The SNIP held the Seongnam Medi and Bio Plaza in May and the Seongnam Excellent Products Show in October for foreign buyers. These events satisfied both local companies and foreign buyers. Participating companies can secure strong trust from foreign buyers as they can invite them via support from the agency. This year, D-TEG Security, a black box and DVR producer in Seongnam, signed a big export deal with Russian buyers, giving it the opportunity to make an inroads into the Russian market. Tap Electronics also signed a US$10 million deal to export CCTV robot systems to Singapore, as well.
What are the detailed results of trade promotion events hosted by the SNIP in 2009?
We held the 8th Seongnam Excellent Products Show this year. This trade show is the biggest business event in the Seongnam area. This year, the trade show was shortened to two days from Oct 14 through 15 due to the spread of the new influenza.
Foreign buyers from 34 companies in 14 countries took part in our foreign buyer invitation event. Via this event, 74 companies signed export deals valued at a total of US$33 million. We also held e-trade meetings which connect buyers around the world via Internet video chatting services. The etrade meetings were also successfully held and resulted in exports of US$6.5 million.
What plans does the SNIP have for 2010?
It is necessary to form a specialized organization to push forward with the 3+3 Strategic Industrial Policy in order to create cash cows in the future. We are planning to put our utmost efforts into building an innovative industrial cluster by reorganizing the SNIP into a specialized system to practice the new policy. In addition, we will turn Seongnam into a world-class role model by developing it into an advanced knowledgebased city and a central city of global business.