EU retailers to seek Korean partners at Seoul trade fair

The Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency said Monday that it will hold a business fair for European retail companies next month on the first anniversary of the Korea-EU free trade pact.

According to the state-run trade promoter, 10 European retailers specialized in fashion and household goods will visit Korea to participate in the Europe Consumer Market Plaza 2012, which is held on June 27 and 28.

Among the participating companies are French supermarket chain Monoprix, Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz and Spain’s No. 1 department store El Corte Ingles.

During the fair, KOTRA will arrange one-on-one meetings between Korean manufacturers and European buyers, with interpretation services offered in English, French and Spanish.

Korean firms that will attend the fair are required to be producers of consumer goods such as electronics gadgets, textile and clothing products, computer parts and stationery, KOTRA said.

“Following the Korea-EU FTA, Korean products, based on their strengthened price competitiveness, are enjoying more popularity. European retailers are paying attention to Korean products to revitalize slowing demand in their local markets,” a KOTRA official said.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)