1ST NEWS. The MOU news of the National Food Cluster Support Center

1. MOU between the National Food Cluster Support Center and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp.

Partners for Overseas Exports, Let's Go Hand-in-hand

On April 15, the National Food Cluster Support Center signed an MOU with the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. to enhance domestic agri-food exporter competitiveness in overseas markets. 

Through the MOU, food companies in national food clusters will be entitled to training and consulting services for them to grow into exporters. The MOU also laid the groundwork for various cooperation projects designed for food companies in clusters to advance into overseas markets through the exchange of export information and the support of efforts to open up new overseas markets. 

2. MOU between the National Food Cluster Support Center and the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service

Organic Foods - Now we can Stop Worrying and Enjoy Them

On April 3, the National Food Cluster Support Center and National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service signed an MOU on the development of the organic food industry and the enhancement of agri-food safety. 

Thanks to the MOU, outstanding food companies based in national food clusters can receive financial support amounting to a maximum of KRW 4 million in consulting fees spent to acquire organic certification. At the same time, companies with organic certification that are interested in entering or investing in national food clusters will be able to receive free expert consulting service in 14 fields including law, taxes, and patents. The organic certification industry will be stimulated along support for one-stop services for the development and commercialization of functional foods from certified organic food companies.

The MOU ensures that certified organic food companies will be supported in their efforts to further enhance the competitiveness of their foods in the markets as well as to enter national food clusters across the country. To further enhance the quality assurance of agri-food, the two agencies agreed to cooperate to achieve technical development in hazardous material testing and analysis of agrochemicals, heavy metals, and GMOs, among others, throughout the entire range of food production and processing, while jointly using their respective facilities and testing instruments for the purposes.  

3. MOU for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration to Stimulate Local Economies​

Weak Alone, but Strong Together

On April 5, the National Food Cluster Support Center signed an MOU with the city of Iksan, Wonkwang University, and the Foundation of Agri-Tech, Commercialization and Transfer to join forces to take the following actions to boost local economies under a specific action plan and a performance agreement:​

  ① Mutual cooperation in the transaction, evaluation, and commercialization of technologies in the area of agri-food. 

  ② Development of cooperation programs to promote localized cutting-edge smart agriculture and attract relevant businesses to the region 

  ③ Development of cooperation programs to promote startups and job creation by young people in the area of agricultural biotechnology 

  ④ Mutual cooperation for education and on-site practices to cultivate talent in the Jeonbuk region

  ⑤ Joint utilization of facilities and equipment in the agri-food sector 

  ⑥ Joint utilization of facilities and equipment in the agri-food sector  

4. Development of Cooperation Programs to promote Job Creation and Startups

No More Worries about Employment! Follow Us~

On April 12, the National Food Cluster Support Center and the city of Iksan signed an MOU with Wonkwang Information & Arts High School (principal: Kim Mi) at City Hall to promote job creation and stimulate local economies.

The Center and Iksan City will take the lead in developing cooperation programs designed to create jobs and promote startups in the region, while Wonkwang Information & Arts High School will focus on the cultivation of professionals for the local food industry and the support of startups through entrepreneurship club activities. 

To create jobs and promote startups in the area, the Center and Iksan City have agreed to expand their cooperation into various areas such as the supply of character educators for businesses, provision of intern support for businesses in the national food cluster of the area, promotion of New Deal job creation programs tailored to Iksan, and assistance for participation in the Youth Startup Support Lab. 

 ​