Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea’s exports surge by 15.8% to record $573.9 billion in 2017

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 1 that Korea’s exports surged by 15.8 percent to a record $573.9 billion in 2017 from a year earlier. Exports of goods expanded at a double-digit rate for the first time in six years since 2011, surpassing the previous record of $572.7 billion set in 2014, despite the fact that there were 1.5 fewer working days compared to the said year. The average daily export reached an all-time high of $2.1 billion. With imports expandin date2018-01-05

FDI inflows hit record high of $22.9 billion in 2017

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on January 3 that foreign direct investment (FDI) pledged to Korea in 2017 advanced 7.7 percent year-on-year to a record USD 22.9 billion.The upward trend in FDI was maintained by achieving more than $20 billion for three years in a row.FDI arrivals in 2017 also increased 20.9 percent to $12.8 billion, indicating that despite global and domestic economic uncertainties, foreign investors are confident in the Korean economy.While newly pledged F date2018-01-03

ICT exports jump 25.9% to $18.6 billion in November

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 14 that exports of information and communication technology (ICT) goods jumped 25.9 percent to USD 18.6 billion, the second highest on record, in November from a year earlier on strong demand for semiconductors.     Exports of ICT goods increased at double-digit rates for 12 consecutive months, and reached a record-high for each respective month for 10 straight months.    Imports surged 17.1 percent yea date2017-12-14

Ministry announces 8th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 14 a draft of the 8th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand.    Under the new biennial plan, which reflects environmental and safety factors in addition to stable power supply and economic efficiency, Korea will produce more power from renewable energy sources and natural gas, while gradually reducing its reliance on coal and nuclear power.    The Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply date2017-12-14

Automobile exports grow 3.4% on strong sales of eco-friendly cars in November

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 12 that exports of automobiles grew 3.4 percent to $4.1 billion on strong sales of eco-friendly cars and large vehicles in November.    Meanwhile, production and domestic sales by number of vehicles contracted 8 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.   Automobile exports by value climbed in November although the number of vehicles shipped abroad declined 8 percent to 237,083.    Korean carmakers expor date2017-12-12

Korea’s exports grow 9.6% to $50 billion in November

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on December 1 that Korea’s exports in November grew 9.6 percent to USD 50 billion, a record for the month.  Exports of goods rose for the 13th consecutive month for the first time in 71 months since December 2011. The average daily exports of goods rose by 9.6 percent to $2.1 billion. Won-denominated exports increased 4.3 percent to 54.9 trillion won.  The total exports between January and November reached an all-time high of date2017-12-01

Retail sales grow 3% in October

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on November 29 that Korea’s retail sales grew 3 percent to 10.13 trillion won in October from a year ago.    Online sales, which account for about a third of the total retail sales, rose by 4.2 percent, a relatively slow pace compared to past months due to the suspension of delivery services during the Chuseok holiday between October 3 and 9. In-store sales climbed 2.5 percent.   By product, sales in five of seven majo date2017-11-29

ICT exports rise 20.6% to $18 billion in October

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on November 15 that exports of information and communication technology goods rose by 20.6 percent to USD 18 billion, the second highest on record, in October from a year ago.   For nine consecutive months between February and October, Korea’s ICT sector posted record-high exports for each respective month. Exports of ICT goods also grew at double-digit rates for 11 straight months.   Imports in the ICT sector advanced 11 p date2017-11-15