Korea Importers Association Holds Import Day Ceremony, Stresses 'Patriotic' Role of Imports

The Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) announced Thursday that it held the 16th Import Day Commemoration Ceremony at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on January 9.

The event was attended by approximately 360 guests, including Yeo Han-koo, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; National Assembly members Seo Il-jun and Heo Sung-moo; Choi Jin-sik, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises; representatives from domestic import businesses; and ambassadors and commercial attachés from approximately 90 countries including Mexico, Finland and Thailand.

Government awards were presented to 18 individuals who contributed to the development of domestic industries through stable supply of raw materials and components amid the global supply chain crisis. The awards included the Iron Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the Industrial Service Medal, Presidential Citations, Prime Minister's Citations and Citations from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Special Achievement Awards were also presented to Ivan Jančarek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Korea, for his contributions to enhancing cooperation with the association and strengthening its international standing, and to Kwon Soon-han, the 16th former chairman of KOIMA, for his contributions to the association's financial stabilization.

Prior to the main ceremony, promotional booths were set up featuring specialty foods from 11 countries including the United Kingdom, China and Portugal. The booths offered tastings of various products such as wines, beverages and snacks from each country, and facilitated networking between participating companies and foreign embassy officials. The association said the pre-ceremony event would contribute to expanding markets for imported products and strengthening business cooperation between countries.

In her welcoming address, KOIMA Chairwoman Yoon Young-mi said, "Since taking office last March, I have led the association under the banner of 'exports serve the nation, imports are patriotic.'" She emphasized that "importing is not simply the act of bringing in foreign products, but plays an important national role in complementing insufficient parts of industry, strengthening competitiveness and enhancing the quality of life for citizens."

Yoon explained that approximately 70 percent of Korea's economy is based on trade, with exports projected to reach $700 billion and imports $633 billion this year, figures that clearly demonstrate how important the import industry is to the Korean economy.

The association emphasized that it will proactively respond to global changes and fulfill its role by establishing supply chains. It also announced plans to actively dispatch import delegations to countries around the world and to hold the Korea Import Expo at COEX in June next year under the theme "Taste the World, Meet the Market," requesting active support from the government, related organizations and member companies.

In his congratulatory remarks, Yeo Han-koo, Deputy Minister for Trade, said, "Korea will always listen to the voices of businesses and actively reflect them in government policies, trade channels and discussions on international norms so that we can achieve sustainable growth together with the international community amid the rapidly changing international environment." He added, "Behind Korea's growth as an export powerhouse over the past several decades has always been a stable import foundation. It was the import industry that connected supply chains in unseen places and protected industries even amid crises that enabled Korea to grow into a trading nation recognized by the world." On the occasion of Import Day, he expressed deep gratitude to all business people who have devoted themselves silently over the years.