Korea International Trade Association(KITA) is the largest business organization in Korea with over 77,000 member companies. It was founded in 1946 to bolster the Korean economy through global trade. We represent the rights and interests of Korea's business community and serve a diverse range of roles including: providing hands-on support to business, promoting private sector trade cooperation, formulating new trade strategies, nurturing trade professionals and building trade infrastructure.
With a widely established network of 13 regional centers and 15 overseas centers(3 regional divisions) in major cities, KITA has consolidated its position as a leading business organization dedicated to assisting SMEs in gaining overseas market entry, particularly contributing to Korea's recent achievement of 1 trillion dollars in trade volume.
Korea International Trade Association(KITA) is the largest business organization in Korea with over 77,000 member companies.
It was founded in 1946 to bolster the Korean economy through global trade. We represent the rights and interests of Korea's business community and serve a diverse range of roles including: providing hands-on support to business, promoting private sector trade cooperation, formulating new trade strategies, nurturing trade professionals and building trade infrastructure.
With a widely established network of 13 regional centers and 15 overseas centers(3 regional divisions) in major cities, KITA has consolidated its position as a leading business organization dedicated to assisting SMEs in gaining overseas market entry, particularly contributing to Korea's recent achievement of 1 trillion dollars in trade volume.
KITA was launched on July 31, 1946 by 105 pioneering traders. Since its inception, KITA laid a solid foundation for economic growth by setting policy directions on trade as well as developing the country's trade infrastructure.
Achievement
KITA is a leading business organization that assists SMEs in gaining overseas market entry and has contributed to Korea's recent achievement of 1 trillion dollars in trade volume.
Our Goal
KITA aims to contribute to Korea's economic growth as a private economic organization by advocating the Korean trade industry's rights and interests, thereby facilitating global trade.
Key Objectives
Propose policy suggestions to the government to protect the rights and interests of its member companies.
Explore new foreign markets and boost private sector trade.
Organize world-class exhibitions.
Nurture global trade professionals.
Conduct analysis & studies to enhance national competitiveness.
Establish e-trade infrastructure and expand user base.
Looking Ahead
Since Korea's trade volume hit 1 billion dollars in 1967, the country has achieved remarkable economic growth over the past few decades, making it the 9th largest economy in the world in 2011 to attain a trillion-dollar trade volume. This accomplishment has brought a vast amount of new opportunities for Korea to raise its status in the global economic arena. To create a new paradigm fit for this new chapter in trade, KITA will make its utmost efforts to lay the groundwork for positioning Korea as an FTA hub, bolstering economic growth and strengthening support for the Korean trade industry.
Chairman’s Message
Jin Sik Yoon
Chairman
Welcome to KITA, a business organization to foster global trade of South Korea.
Founded in 1946, Korea International Trade Association (KITA) has been at the forefront of facilitating economic growth through trade as a prominent business organization. Trade is critical to our prosperity and economic growth as it generates numerous job opportunities and contributes to improving people's lives. As such, with tireless work and activities, KITA opened up a new chapter in Korea's history: 1 trillion USD in trade volume, making it one of the 10th largest economies in the world.
KITA also has broadened business networks with more than 232 government and business organizations from 67 countries in order to strengthen our global business connections. Every year, we dispatch a business delegation abroad and organize various business activities such as business forums, exhibitions, and conferences.
Our mission is to promote global trade and advance global cooperation. Amidst the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital transformation, we aim to create a business friendly environment for Korean companies and our partners abroad. In this website, you will discover diverse services we offer from B2B matchmaking services to K-mall, which showcases authentic Korea's quality goods to potential global customers.
To consolidate Korea as a global trade hub, KITA will remain committed to promoting the Korean business community and overseas trading partners through various channels.
I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude to our partners across the world, and I ask for your continued generous support.
Thank you!
Chairman
Jin Sik Yoon
History
Find out the history of Korea International Trade Association, a pioneer of global economic development with innovative vision.
Center for Trade Studies and Cooperation established
2019
Jun
Startup Branch opened
2018
Mar
UAE Center established
2016
Jul
Announced “Future Trade Vision” & “KITA 2030 Vision” for KITA's 70th Anniversary
2015
Jun
Jakarta Center established
2014
Jun
Kmall24 service opened
Jan
New Delhi Center established
2011
Sep
Ho Chi Minh Center established
Apr
Jeju Center established
2010
Nov
Hosted G20 Seoul Summit
2009
Apr
COEX Artium established
2008
Apr
tradeKorea.com service opened
2006
Jul
Announced “The New KITA Strategy” for KITA’s 60th anniversary
Feb
Singapore Center established
Feb
Washington Center established
2005
Feb
Korea Paperless Trade Center established
Feb
Korea International Logistics Council established
2002
Jun
Shanghai Center established
2000
Oct
Hosted the 3rd Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
May
Extension of World Trade Center Seoul completed
1995
Oct
Gwangju Trade Tower opened
Apr
Gyeongnam Trade Tower opened
1992
Aug
Beijing Center established
1991
Dec
KTNet established
1988
Sep
Construction of WTC Seoul completed
1986
Jun
Busan Trade Tower established
1984
May
Brussels Center established
Feb
World Trade Academy opened
1978
Aug
COEX established
1974
Aug
New York Hankook Center (U.S.A) Inc. founded
1972
Jan
Joined WTCA (World Trade Center Association)
1967
Jan
New York Center established
1948
Apr
Tokyo Center established
1946
Jul
KITA founded
WTC Seoul
Development of an integrated trade, cultural & business center.
KITA aims to foster World Trade Center Seoul(WTCS) into a global hub for business and the MICE industry. WTCS is located in the heart of Seoul, offering convenient access to various business, shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. With COEX Mall, Asia’s largest underground mall, WTCS offers office space for global trading firms and features world-class facilities for domestic and international exhibitions as well as conventions.
KITA aims to foster World Trade Center Seoul(WTCS) into a global hub for business and the MICE industry. WTCS is located in the heart of Seoul, offering convenient access to various business, shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. With COEX Mall, Asia’s largest underground mall, WTCS offers office space for global trading firms and features world-class facilities for domestic and international exhibitions as well as conventions.
Convention & Exhibition
COEX Convention Facilities
COEX Exhibition Halls
Office Space
Trade Tower
ASEM Tower
City Air Tower
Parnas Tower
Startup Branch
Accommodation
Grand International Seoul Parnas
Intercontinental Seoul COEX
Oakwood Premier COEX Center
Transportaion
CALT (The fastest and most comfortable service to the Airport)
Shopping
Starfield COEX Mall
Parnas Mall
Hyundai Department Store
Leisure
COEX Aquarium
Megabox Movie Theater
Seven Luck Casino
COEX Artium
The WTC Seoul, owned and operated by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), joined the World Trade Centers Association(WTCA) in 1972 to be the premier business center globally, managing global information networks to facilitate business transactions and provide useful trade information. The WTC Seoul is a 605,221-square-meter facility that includes 55-floor and 41-floor trade towers, an exhibition and convention facility, two deluxe hotels, a city air terminal, a shopping mall and entertainment center. It also served as the venue for the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in the year 2000, G-20 Seoul Summit in 2010 and Nuclear Security Summit in 2012. With four subterranean levels and four floors, COEX (Convention & Exhibition Center), a subsidiary of KITA, offers a space equipped with state-of-the-art communications facilities and advanced systems to accommodate major events ranging from large-scale international conferences to the latest high-tech exhibitions.
Address
Trade Tower, 511 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06164 Republic of Korea