Pukyong National University

Young trade experts from PKNU, thriving as export solution specialists for SMEs

- PKNU students securing export contracts at international trade fairs

△ Pukyong National University students active at international trade fairs

Students majoring in international trade are drawing attention by actively participating in the export field alongside small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and securing actual contracts.

The GTEP (glocal trade experts incubating) team at Pukyong National University (led by professor Anh Tae-Gun) announced that young trade expert students from the department of international trade participated in international trade fairs held in Singapore, Japan, China, and Hong Kong, achieving significant results in supporting companies.

The GTEP program, supported by the Ministry of trade, industry and energy and the Korea international trade association, aims to nurture young trade experts in the fields of trade practice and export marketing, and Pukyong National University was selected for this initiative, with its students playing a significant role in supporting the export efforts of companies through practical on-site training.

In March, Eom Sang-Hwan, a 3rd-year student who participated in the 'Asia pacific maritime (APM) 2024' held at Marina bay sands in Singapore, supported Hartman co., ltd. in export consultations, securing a $300,000 export contract. At this event, which featured 2,879 companies from 68 countries, he was responsible for handling the company's export consultations, conducting 106 meetings. Including the contracts currently being negotiated, the total contract amount reaches $1 million.

Following Eom Sang-Hwan in April, Lee Hyo-Jeong, a 4th-year student, supported the same company at the 'SEA JAPAN' maritime exhibition held at Tokyo Big sight, which had 620 companies from 32 countries participating, and succeeded in securing contracts worth $100,000 across five deals.

Jin Chang-Min (2nd-year student) and Kwon Jae-Eun (4th-year student) introduced Okra international at the 'Singapore FHA-food & beverage 2024', which had participation from over 1,500 companies from 50 countries, conducting over 200 consultations and pushing contracts with 28 companies. Additionally, Lee Yoon-Ah (3rd-year student) promoted Cremon F&B co., ltd. at the 'Anuga Select China 2024' international food exhibition held in Shenzhen, China with 503 companies from 28 countries, conducting a total of 134 consultations and is working on finalizing contracts with five companies.

This month, Choi Mi-Joo (3rd-year student) and Lee Ji-Min (3rd-year student) are conducting export consultations for Sun world Korea co., ltd. at the 'Hong Kong electronics fair 2024', which has participation from over 2,900 companies, and are awaiting results.

The response from companies working with the students are enthusiastic. Heo Chang-Ki, ceo of Cremon F&B, noted that the students' expertise in their field, foreign language skills, and passion were immensely helpful, saying that "Thanks to the students' youthful vigor and passion, our booth has become particularly popular. We are looking forward to the subsequent contract stages."

Jin Chang-Min said, "It was great to be able to apply what I learned in school to the field and achieve visible results. It was a precious opportunity to experience growth alongside the company."

The GTEP team at Pukyong National University plans to continue expanding students' practical trade experiences to nurture young trade experts who connect the region with the world. <Pukyong Today>