PH Ambassador to South Korea Meets with Korea Importers Association Chairman
Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez (left) meets Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) newly inducted Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hong Kwang-Hee on 18 April 2019 at the KOIMA headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul. (Seoul PE photo)
SEOUL 30 April 2019 —Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez met with Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) newly inducted Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hong Kwang-Hee on 18 April 2019 at the KOIMA headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul. He was joined at the meeting by Commercial Counsellor Jose Ma. Dinsay, Attaché Jhoanna Jarasa, and Trade Assistant Ai Ja Jeon.
Ambassador Hernandez congratulated Chairman Hong on his successful election as the head of KOIMA, a prestigious organization of Korean importers, and paid tribute to the close friendship and partnership between KOIMA and the Philippines.
He also expressed appreciation to Chairman Hong for considering the conduct of a buying mission composed of Korean importers to the Philippines this year, which is expected to contribute to the expansion of trade between the Philippines and Korea. The planned mission is one of the deliverables in connection with the commemoration of the 70th year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Ambassador further conveyed that the Philippines and Korea recently agreed to commence the process of negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) upon completion of their respective domestic procedures this year. Ambassador Hernandez expressed hope that the bilateral FTA would enhance economic ties and bolster trade cooperation between the Philippines and Korea. He also mentioned that the Philippines and Korea would convene the 1st Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC) in June 2019.
For his part, Chairman Kim welcomed the news regarding the negotiation of a bilateral FTA and conveyed KOIMA’s interest to source more products from the Philippines, especially value-added products. Chairman Kim expressed hope that the JCTEC could be convened annually. Chairman Kim also extended an invitation for the Philippines to send a delegation to participate in the Import Goods Fair to be hosted by KOIMA this year.
Both dignitaries also discussed possible collaboration between KOIMA and the Philippines in the organization of a buying mission to the Philippines that would include tourism related activities.
Ambassador Hernandez informed Chairman Kim that previous diplomatic tours were conducted to Bohol, Cebu and Palawan and that under his tenure, the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative CEO Conference was held in Cebu and Bohol in June 2018.
These missions successfully highlighted the Philippines' promising potential as a prime tourist destination and an attractive investment site for Korean companies seeking to expand their business in the Philippines. END
Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez (center) with Korea Importers Association Chairman Hong Kwang-Hee, Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay (extreme right), Attaché Jhoanna Jarasa and Trade Assistant Ai Ja Jeon at the KOIMA headquarters. (Seoul PE photo)
Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez discusses bolstering cooperation between the Philippines and Korea Importers Association during his meeting with Chairman Hong Kwang-He. (Seoul PE photo)
For more information, visit www.seoulpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philembassy-seoul.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/.