SEIDO Students Welcome the Korean Consul General to Saskatoon
Korean Consul General from Vancouver, Mr. Yeon-Ho Choi, visited Saskatoon on May 31st, 2013, as a guest of the Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program (SEIDO) and its “SEIDO Visiting Consul-General Series”. Consul-General Choi had many objectives for his visit, one of which was to explore current export opportunities from Saskatchewan to Korea. SEIDO Student Officers Carolyn Aziz and Brandon Ziola arranged an eclectic tour itinerary to match the Korean consulate's desire to see as many industries and sectors possible. One such meeting included the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), where Choi met with Executive Director Brad Michnick. Choi suggested Saskatchewan's pork industry could increase it exports by investing more money into the market, given Korea's rapidly rising demand for pork meat. Another interesting suggestion from the Korean government was to export Saskatoon berries, not only as food but as a beauty cream. “The Saskatoon berries have high levels of antioxidants which are good for the skin,” Choi said. “Beauty is a very popular market in Korea in which consumers are willing to pay a premium.” C
Aziz, who said Consul-General Choi was her sixth guest as part of the SEIDO Program's experiential learning opportunity, added, “I had an amazing time hosting the Korean delegation. I learned why their culture is so business savvy. Korea is a country with virtually no natural resources, yet Koreans managed to build a very sustainable economy and educated workforce. That task alone requires great skill. Saskatchewan has a great opportunity to further trade with Korea, since many of our exports match their import needs. I hope they had a great time, and that some great business initiatives come out of this visit.”
* Please note this article has been updated to reflect the new name change of the “Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program” (“SEIDO”), from its former program name as the “Saskatchewan International Trade Officer Program” (“SITO”).
The Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program (SEIDO) allows university/college and high schools throughout Saskatchewan the opportunity build global business knowledge, related skills development, and training opportunities for a career in global business, international trade and development. For more information, please contact Nicholas Kokkastamapoulos (SEIDO Program Coordinator) at the Haultain Institute for Global Business Studies at nick.kokkas@seidoprogram.org or nkokkas@haultaininstitute.org or by telephone at (306) 715-2260. Thank you.
