▲ Chairman Koo Ja-yeol is giving his inauguration address at the regular general meeting on the 24th of last month. (Photo courtesy = International Trade Association)
Koo Ja-yeol, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, suggested to the government that businessmen who frequently travel abroad be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine first.
Chairman Ja-Yeol Koo made this announcement by attending the’Hope Concert for the Era of 700 Billion Dollar Exports Together’ held as one of the expanded trade strategy coordination meeting presided over by the Prime Minister at COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun, Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo, heads of related organizations, and young future traders.
Chairman Koo said, “In the second half of the year as vaccination will begin in Korea, business travelers are expected to become active overseas.” “Recently, the possibility of requesting vaccination certificates in major countries has been raised. We ask for consideration so that we can receive priority.”
“Corona 19 is changing the way people live, the topography of industries, and international relations, and it will never return to the past even after the end of the pandemic.” Through this, the trade association will work with the government, related organizations and the trade industry to play a leading role in the global market.”
The event was held in the form of a talk concert in which the prime minister, the president of the association, and the person in charge of related ministries listened to the voices of innovative companies and future traders in the field. Businessmen and students of the Regional Specialized Youth Trade Professional Training Program (GTEP) who are difficult to attend due to Corona 19, expressed their opinions through video access and online open chat rooms.
AD Technology, which exports system semiconductors, raises difficulties with a lack of professional manpower for design and development, and SeAH Steel, which exports steel pipes for offshore wind power, raises the cost of offshore logistics and raises ship welfare. He conveyed various difficulties such as finance and investment.
GTEP students also asked Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun and President Koo Ja-yeol, who were former general trading firms, about the qualities they need to possess as traders and the skills they need to prepare for competition with artificial intelligence (AI) for youth jobs.
Regarding this, Chairman Koo said, “The talent image that companies want to cope with the uncertain future is also changing. Unlike AI that finds the optimal solution in a given data environment, humans have unlimited potential, creativity, strong motivation, and curiosity. We have to find a solution to the problem.”
The Korea International Trade Association also held the’CES 2021 Innovation Award Winning Product Exhibition’ at COEX Byeolmadang Library prior to the Hope Concert. Products from 9 domestic startups, such as virtual touch panels, skin measurement devices, and smart hard hats, that stood out at CES 2021, the world’s largest IT home appliance exhibition held online in January, will be exhibited by the 12th.