By Rachel Lee
Korean food experts have visited Myanmar to share their experiences with local businesspeople.
The “Product Development Workshop,” organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre and Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce on April 5, was designed to enhance the nation’s food product development capacity, with an eye to gaining access to the Korean market.
ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Young-Sun said Myanmar is in the heart of the world’s fastest-growing region, including China and India, and also has “abundant resources and limitless potential.”
“Myanmar’s first democratically elected government in 30 years just took off recently, which has opened up even broader possibilities for the country,” he said.
The Korean experts gave lectures under the topics “Sourcing Trends and Procedures” and “Trends of Food Packaging Technology in Korea.” Local participants made presentations on an “Overview of Myanmar Food Market and Distribution,” designed to help the Korean buyers better understand Myanmar’s market environment.
The workshop also had one-on-one meetings and the delegation visited local manufacturers to offer some practical help, the organization said.
On April 8, the ASEAN-Korea Centre held a similar event in Manila, in collaboration with the Philippine Export Marketing Bureau (EMB).
Korean experts gave lectures on topics including “Trends of Gourmet Food in Korea,” while representatives from the EMB made a presentation on an “Overview of the Philippines Food Market and Distribution.”
“Through my visit to Madrid Fusion Manila, I felt that the Philippines stands out as Asia’s most vibrant food business destination,” Lee Dong-go, ASEAN-Korea Centre deputy director, said. “I wish that this workshop will serve as a stepping stone for Philippine manufacturers who have global competitiveness to further expand their businesses to the Korean market.”
Madrid Fusion Manila is the first and only Asian edition of the culinary event Madrid Fusion, where delegates gained up-to-date information on world food industry trends and built a network with international partners.
The ASEAN-Korea Centre is an intergovernmental organization established in 2009 with an aim to promote exchanges among Korea and the ten ASEAN Member States.