On August 20, Seo-gu District in Daejeon announced its plan to cooperate with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to help Korean and Japanese companies expand into each other’s markets.

Seo-gu Mayor Cheol-mo Seo met with Naoyuki Maekawa, Director of JETRO’s Seoul Office, at Seo-gu Office to discuss ways to support cross-border business expansion, including investment opportunities and information sharing. This marks their second meeting, following an initial discussion in Seoul last October.

During his two-day visit, Director Maekawa will attend briefings on Daejeon’s strategic industries and international trade initiatives, and meet with startup-related organizations such as KAIST Startup Institute, Chungnam National University’s Industry-University Cooperation Foundation, and the Daejeon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation. He will also hold meetings with local companies interested in entering the Japanese market.

Mayor Seo emphasized, “As demand grows among companies seeking entry into both countries, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with JETRO to ensure our local businesses receive practical support in advancing into Japan.”

JETRO, Japan’s counterpart to Korea’s KOTRA, is an independent agency established in 1967 to promote Japan’s international trade, with overseas offices in major countries including its Seoul office in Jongno-gu.