SEOUL, 15 May 2015 – The Philippines attracted the keen interest of Korean and foreign buyers during the Seoul International Food Industry Exhibition 2015 (Seoul Food Fair) organized by the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) at the KINTEX Convention Center in Goyang City, Gyeonggi province on 12 May 2015.

The Seoul Food Fair 2015 was formally opened by KOTRA President and CEO Jaehong Kim, Korea Food Industry Association (KFIA) President In-gu Park, and US Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert. Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez participated at the ribbon cutting ceremony as special guest. In his opening remarks, KOTRA President Jaehong Kim expressed hope that the 2015 Seoul Food Fair would serve as a bridge to strengthen linkages between the Korean companies and foreign companies. The event attracted about 1,480 food companies from 44 countries including the Philippines. Following the opening ceremony, Ambassador Hernandez visited the Philippine pavilion, where representatives of 12 Philippine food companies, assisted by officials from the Department of Agriculture, promoted and expanded the market for their products. The Philippine pavilion was popular with foreign visitors as it featured Philippine products such as dried tropical fruits, Moringa-derived noodles, herbal tea, supplements and snacks, organic and premium virgin coconut oil, coconut based products, bottled sea urchin, Gouda-style cheese from Cagayan De Oro and yacón fruit and syrup. Since its establishment in 1962, KOTRA had been pivotal in helping Korea become a major trading nation by supporting the overseas expansion of Korean companies and in supporting partnerships between Korean companies and foreign companies. KOTRA currently operates 123 offices in 83 countries. –END–