Korea International Trade Association (KITA, Chairman: Jin Sik Yoon) and Korea AI-Software Industry Association, (KOSA*, Chairman: Joon Hee Cho) signed "KITA - KOSA MOU on supporting AI transformation of the trading sector" on Wednesday, 13 May at KITA HQs in Seoul.
* KOSA, which is the successor of the former Korea Softward Industry Association, was legally designated as the first-ever association supporting the AI industry in February 2026, in line with Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Creation of a Foundation for Trust.
This MOU was propopsed to upgrade Korean companies' export competitiveness by encouraging AI transformation within the trading sector at a time of business environment being unexpectely affected by external factors, including growing protectionism an geopolitical risks.
In line with the MOU, KITA and KOSA pledged to implement a wide range of collaborate projects, including a) organising business matching events for each other's member companies, b) kicking off a collaborative committee for accelerating AI transformation in the trading sector, c) nurturing AI professionals and d) discovering best practices and promoting such practices.
As a key collaborative project, the two organisations will work on organising "Business Networking Day", which will be an opportunity for connecting exporter companies and softward/AI companies. This event will serve as a private-level platform for spreading AI transformation in the trading sector by inviting member companies of each organisation for business-matching opportunities. Additionally, seminars aimed at sharing best practices of AI transformation and individual technology consultation meetings will co-organised to offer tailored advice for exporter companies.
In his welcome remarks, KITA Chairman Jin Sik Yoon mentioned, "Making use of AI is a great tide that cannot be overturned, especially for exporter businesses, which are used from discovering potential overseas buyers, optimising supply chains to anticipating risks" and highlighted, "Amid a time of unprecedented global uncertainties, AI transformation will serve as a new springboard for success for the Korean exporter business community."
In response, KOSA Chairman Joon Hee Cho stated, "The collaborative committee will be at the centre of offering practical support for AI transformation of trading businesses and will be committed to creating a foundation, where trading businesses and AI/software businesses can expand their business overseas together."