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Foreign direct investment pledges and arrivals to Korea both score record high in 2021
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 10 of 2022 that the annual foreign direct investments (FDIs) for 2021 increased by 42.3 percent to USD 29.5 billion. The FDIs that actually arrived in Korea over the same period expanded 57.5 percent to $18.0 billion. Both FDI pledges and arrivals recorded all-time high annual figures on record. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, robust influx factors within the supply chain, vaccine and bio-healthcare, hydrogen econom date2022-01-10
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Minister Moon visits Saudi Arabia to discuss Korea-Saudi energy and economic cooperation
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Moon Sungwook visited Saudi Arabia on January 5 at the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud, to discuss matters on energy and economic cooperation, together with Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Ajlan Al Ajlan. In talks with Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister Moon addressed the strong energy cooperation of the two countries, regarding oil, nuclear power and such conventional en date2022-01-06
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MOTIE announces 2022 Work Report
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced on December 28 the Ministry's work report for 2022, titled “Building Korea into an Industrial Power, Overcoming & Rising Together” date2022-01-04
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Korea’s exports achieve all-time high of $644.5 billion in 2021
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 1 that Korea’s exports in 2021 hit USD 644.5 billion, a hefty 25.8 percent increase over the previous year. Annual imports also stand at a historic $615.1 billion, up by 31.5 percent. As net exporter for the 13th consecutive year with a record-breaking trade surplus of $29.5 billion, placing Korea among top 8 trade countries worldwide. In addition to reaching $1 trillion within the shortest time (299 days) i date2022-01-03
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November retail sales post growth of 9.6%
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 30 that Korea’s overall retail sales in November went up 9.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Both physical and online retailers experienced growth, up 4.6 percent and 14.8 percent, respectively. The Ministry releases monthly retail sales figures based on surveys of 26 major retailers. Half of them are physical retailers: three department store chains, three hypermarket chains, three convenience store chains, date2021-12-30
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Korea’s automobile export value turns to positive growth in November
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 15 that Korea’s automobile export value increased 3.3 percent, turning to positive growth in three months. In terms of volume, automobile production, domestic sales, and exports decreased 6.6 percent, 16.0 percent, and 4.7 percent, respectively. The export value posted growth due to expansion of high value-added vehicles. Green car exports showed the highest monthly value on record. Automobile production in November went do date2021-12-15
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Korea and Singapore announce conclusion of Korea’s first digital trade agreement, Korea-Singapore Digital Partnership Agreement (DPA)
Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo and Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng issued a Joint Statement on December 15 announcing the conclusion of the “Korea-Singapore Digital Partnership Agreement”, Korea’s first digital trade agreement. Read more: date2021-12-15
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ICT exports reach record high in November
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 14 that shipments of Korea’s information and communications technology (ICT) products reached an all-time high value of USD 21.5 billion, up 30.0 percent from the same period last year. Exports posted double-digit growth for eight straight months. Imports went up 23.1 percent to $12.8 billion, and the trade balance stood at a surplus of $8.7 billion. Exports of all four ICT product types expanded. Those of semiconductors date2021-12-14