Today's Date:      Friday, March 9, 2012

1. BILATERAL/MULTILATERAL ISSUES

KITA holds seminar on FTA [Korean: BYK]

http://www.fnnews.com/view?ra=Sent0601m_View&corp=fnnews&arcid=201203090100071650003918&cDateYear=2012&cDateMonth=03&cDateDay=09

Summary: KITA held a seminar to explain how to make the best use of FTAs that are in place, such as FTAs with the United States, EU, ASEAN, and India. 

How much progress have we made on FTA talks with China? [Korean: BYK]

http://news.donga.com/fbin/output?n=200907140153

Summary: MIFAFF is busy holding meetings among experts on apple, pears and citrus to discuss the impact of FTA between Korea and China on these respective products.  It will also hold discussions with experts on the livestock products this month.  Based on these discussions, the Korean government plans to ask PRC to exclude these sensitive items during the next bilateral meeting to be held in April.

Chairman Duk Soo Han of KITA busy meeting industry representatives [Korean: BYK]

http://economy.hankooki.com/lpage/industry/201203/e20120309140759120180.htm

Summary:  Chairman Han of KITA is increasing its speed for checking up on the industry to make the best use of the FTAs.  He met with representatives from 12 textile companies and explained that the KORUS FTA will allow for the textile industry to expand its market in the United States and enhance its competitiveness.

2. MIFAFF PRESS RELEASES

► Korean ginseng exports expands to the global market…thanks to the Hallyu trend

► Korea agricultural exports on a smooth ride…exports increase 10.8 percent during the first 2 months of 2012 over the same period in 2011.

► MIFAFF to begin accepting agricultural insurance policies from March 12th