Korea sends biggest buying mission to PH

South Korea’s largest association of importers is sending its biggest delegation yet to the Philippines for a buying mission this week, a move seen to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the Korea Importers Association (Koima) will be sending a mission composed of 182 members, representing CEOs and senior officers of Korean firms.

“We view the delegation’s visit as an opportunity to further improve our economic relations with South Korea. We also look at it as support to our efforts in raising awareness about the Philippines’ supply capabilities and sustaining the current momentum of tourism interest among Koreans,” said Trade Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo Jr.

Manalo added that for this year, the Philippines was selected over Thailand and Myanmar as the country to be visited by Koima’s summer buying mission, which will run from July 17 to 20.

Koima currently handles 70 percent of Korea’s total imports, which reached $519 billion in 2012.

It is composed of more than 8,000 importers, serving Korea’s end-user principals, manufacturers and processors, distributors and retailers, as well as the government’s procurement agencies.

Koima’s importation requirements cover a wide range of products, and include agricultural produce, food, industrial products and consumer manufactures.