By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo

Guatemalan Ambassador to Korea Sara Angelina Solis Castaneda met with Chairman Kim Byung-kwan of Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) at the KOIMA in Bangbae-dong, Seoul to discuss ways to stabilize the global supply chain and expand bilateral trade.

"Guatemala has high competitiveness in coffee, macadamias, and wood products, but we have recently faced difficulties in exporting macadamias and wood due to China's import restrictions," said Ambassador Castaneda. 

"With the help of the Korea Importers Association, we hope to expand our exports to South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and other countries," she added. She also requested that the Korea Importers Association send an import mission to Guatemala early next year.

"As Guatemala has recently joined the Korea-Central American Free Trade Agreement (FTA), we are looking forward to expanding trade between the two countries," said Kim Byung-kwan, chairman of the Korea Importers Association. 

"In particular, Guatemala is an important trading partner for Korea as it is the most geographically competitive country in terms of population and economic size among the six Central American countries." "We will provide support at the association level to resolve issues arising from import restrictions," said Kim, adding, "We will also actively consider dispatching an import mission to Guatemala next year."

"We hope that Guatemalan companies will participate in the Korea Import Expo in July next year at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, to explore opportunities to enter the Korean market," Kim added.