About 20 CEOs leading the National Agro Food and Beverage Cluster Association under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries held their second CEO Forum last week in southern Seoul to discuss ways to boost the nation’s agriculture and fisheries industry.

Lee Kyung-soo, head of the association as well as president of Jebba Food & Beverage Corp., a guild of bokbunja growers in Gochang, North Jeolla Province, stressed in the meeting that CEOs in the agriculture and fisheries industry throughout the country should put emphasis on exports as well as domestic sales by developing competitive products to prepare for the expected free trade agreements to be contracted with neighboring countries. 

“That will revitalize the economy of the farming and fishing villages and eventually bring an increase of incomes in farming and fishing households,” said Lee.

Among the panelists, Shin Dong-hwa, emeritus professor at Chonbuk National University, pointed out that exports of the nation’s agriculture and fisheries sector, which marked $7.7 billion last year, could be increased to $10 billion if the food clusters lead the industry.

Participants agreed to conduct more joint businesses. The council also decided to open a “K-food Corner” on the third basement floor of Gangnam subway station to showcase and sell agriculture and fishery goods produced from all over the nation.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)