The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) was instrumental in the passage of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS)—and now we’re helping to connect U.S. fashion brands and retailers with Korea wide variety of duty-free suppliers! On July 22nd, USFIA joined the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) to signed a Memorandum of Understanding and celebrate our industries at Texworld USA in New York.
It was a natural fit to work with KITA (www.kita.org), the leading economic organization that represents the interests of the Korean private sector. KITA’s goals include expanding free trade and improving the global trade environment, as well as supporting sustainable economic development by actively promoting FTAs and their utilization. KITA boasts more than 70,000 members, including the nearly 50 Korean companies in the textile and apparel sector who joined us for the event at Texworld USA.
The 17th Texworld USA, held once again at the Javits Convention Center in New York, featured more than 700 exhibiting companies from 21 countries. In addition to our friends at KITA, exhibitors included Proexport Colombia, a Sourcing Partner of USFIA for 2014, as well as Lenzing Innovation, an Associate Member of USFIA and the official Texworld USA partner. Proexport Colombia showcased six producers of innovative fabrics, gifted needlework, and trims, while Lenzing Innovation boasted an impressive pavilion of mills and companies utilizing Lenzing’s fibers from China, Italy, Korea, Taiwan, and of course, the United States.
At the end of the first day of the show, attendees were ready to celebrate with a terrific reception—and they were not disappointed! Several hundred show attendees and industry representatives filled the River Pavilion at the Javits Center for an evening of networking with friends new and old, as well as a look at the latest fabrics available in Korea.
Guests were welcomed by Ho Keun Jang, the Executive Managing Director of KITA’s International Marketing Group. USFIA President Julia K. Hughes also welcomed the crowd and spoke about the partnership between the U.S. fashion industry and our trading partners in Korea. Our partnership continues to grow and expand with the duty-free sourcing options available under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. In fact, what really proved this is a vibrant relationship is the fact that USFIA’s chairwoman couldn’t attend the reception because she was in Seoul on company business!
USFIA's Janet Ydavoy and KITA's Ho Keun Jang at Texworld USA
Following the welcome remarks, Janet Ydavoy, Secretary of the USFIA Board of Directors and Vice President of Customs Compliance & International Operations at The Jones Group, joined Mr. Jang on stage to sign the MOU, solidifying our organizations’ relationship and our plans to work together on trade and networking events, sharing business information, and generally supporting one another’s activities and industries.
Companies interested in doing business in Korea, or at least seeing what types of products are available duty free, should first visit www.TradeKorea.com, KITA’s online marketplace for Korean companies to showcase their products. KITA is a resource to help you connect with the right companies, and then set up one-on-one business meetings, hassle free. And if you’re already doing business in Korea, KITA provides up-to-date analysis on Korean trade and industry.
We look forward to continuing to work with KITA!