Gov`t to provide marketing support for technology export

SEOUL, April 19 (Yonhap) -- The government on Sunday said it will offer marketing
assistance so local companies can finds customers for their industrial
technologies abroad to help reduce the country's trade imbalance in this field.
The plan calls for 3.1 billion won (US$2.3 million) to be set aside this year to
help small- and medium- size enterprises (SMEs) win licensing and technology
consulting deals, and help sales of patents and corporate logos, the Ministry of
Knowledge Economy said.
South Korea, which usually maintains a trade surplus, has suffered a chronic
deficit in technology trade. The imbalance stood at $2.9 billion in 2007, with
exports only reaching $1.9 billion vis-a-vis $4.8 billion for imports.
"Instead of concentrating solely on licensing arrangements, the updated measures
aims to customize support to best meet individual market conditions," said an
ministry official.
He said Seoul will also select 100 competitive technologies that have potential
to attract overseas deals, and offer 20 million won each so companies can conduct
market research, and get legal and investment-related consulting aid.
The ministry in charge of industrial policies and trade promotion said it will
designate a so-called global commercialization center made up of legal,
accounting and investment consulting service providers to support exports to
China and Southeast Asia.
For the United States, efforts will be made to help SMEs gain entry into
so-called global access programs run by leading business management schools,
while assisting businesses to enroll in the Enterprise Europe Network so they can
sell their technologies in Europe.
In addition, the ministry said it will host a specialized Global Technology
Exhibition in Korea fair in mid June that could facilitate trading and tie-up
arrangements in the information technology, convergence and green-growth sectors.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)