Korea's largest global business platform 

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is the national organization responsible for promoting trade and investment under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Since its establishment in 1962, KOTRA has supported the global business expansion of Korean companies and facilitated the attraction of foreign investment in Korea. As Korea's largest global business platform, KOTRA operates 131 overseas offices in 85 countries. Leveraging its extensive global network, KOTRA helps foreign companies, organizations, and governments explore business opportunities and forge partnerships with Korea.

2024 highlights:   2,400 employees    129 overseas offices   32,000 active clients   190 business events   99 trade fairs

  Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE)

  KOREA TRADE-INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY ACT

KOTRA organizes Seoul Food Show, one of the largest international trade fair in Asia

  Our Milestones

1962: Establishment of the Korea Trade Promotion Agency
On June 21, 1962, the Korea Trade Promotion Agency (KOTRA) was established to drive Korea's global trade efforts. In its early years, KOTRA opened offices in key international cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, laying the foundation for global expansion.

1970s: Pioneering Role in the Middle East Construction Boom
During the construction boom in the Middle East, KOTRA played a leading role in transforming Korea into a prominent trading nation. Between 1974 and 1976, the agency expanded its footprint by opening six new offices across the Middle East.

1980s: Diversification into Eastern and Northern Europe
In the 1980s, KOTRA expanded its export markets by entering northern and eastern European regions. This strategic move was marked by the opening of the first office in Budapest, Hungary, which became a key entry point into Eastern Europe.

1995: Renaming to Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency
In 1995, the agency underwent a transformation, renaming itself the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. This change reflected the agency's evolving role in not only promoting trade but also attracting foreign investments. During this period, KOTRA played a crucial part in addressing Korea's foreign exchange crisis.

2003: Launch of Invest KOREA
Recognizing the importance of foreign investment, KOTRA launched Invest KOREA in 2003, a dedicated initiative to attract and support foreign investments into Korea.

2008: Launch of Contact KOREA to Attract Global Talent
KOTRA further expanded its services in 2008 by introducing Contact KOREA, a platform aimed at attracting talented professionals from around the world to contribute to Korea’s growing economy.

2009: Overseas Investment Support for SMEs
In 2009, KOTRA introduced the Overseas Investment Support feature, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) globalize and expand their businesses internationally.

2011: Expansion into Defense Industry and International Cooperation
The agency's services continued to grow with the addition of key features in 2011, including Defense Industry Support, International Development Cooperation, and National Brand Improvement services. These initiatives positioned KOTRA as a vital player in global defense and development cooperation.

2012: Supporting Global M&A and Reshoring
In 2012, KOTRA expanded its offerings by adding support for global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and reshoring companies, helping to foster a dynamic, globally connected business environment.

2013: Overseas Startup and Employment Support
Recognizing the importance of startups and employment opportunities, KOTRA introduced services to support overseas startups and employment initiatives, enhancing global talent exchange and business growth.

2014: Government-to-Government (G2G) Trading
The following year, KOTRA added a feature dedicated to government-to-government (G2G) trading, facilitating international trade agreements and strengthening global diplomatic ties.

2015: Summit Diplomacy Support
In 2015, KOTRA began offering summit diplomacy support to further enhance Korea's global diplomatic efforts, reinforcing the agency’s role as a bridge between Korea and international partners.

2022: Leading the Charge in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
In 2022, KOTRA was designated as the exclusive agency responsible for international cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the agency's commitment to sustainability and global environmental stewardship.