Province to Fully Support Export of Magician Makgeolli
(Published November 10, 2011)

-Announcement of solutions to improve the competitiveness of in-province brewing companies on November 10^th
-KRW 2.8 billion to help three businesses improve deteriorated facilities

– In accordance with the recentmakgeolli (traditional Korean rice liquor) boom, Gyeonggi Province announced on November 10^th that it plans to invest KRW 2.89 billion to increase exports of in-province makgeolli and improve the competitiveness of the brewing companies. The photograph shows a makgeolli-brewing company in Pocheon which renovated its deteriorated production facilities after its selection in the ‘Traditional Liquor Revitalization Project’ in January, 2011. (G-News Plus)

In accordance with recent makgeolli boom, Gyeonggi Province announced on November 10^th that it plans to invest KRW 2.89 billion to increase exports of in-province makgeolli and improve the competitiveness of the brewing companies.

This support is a part of the ‘Traditional Liquor Revitalization Project.’ It’ll be divided into three fields: a facility-improvement project including modernization of production facilities; a project to improve makgeolli’s competitive power through research and development support as well as the hosting of foreign sales promotion events; and loans to support management funds.

A total of KRW 2.89 billion will be invested including KRW 2.22 billion to improve the deteriorated facilities of seven brewing companies selected for a facility improvement project (including Baesangmyeonjuga), KRW 170 million to improve the competitiveness of makgeolli including support for makgeolli fermentation research and development, amakgeolli symposium, and foreign sales promotion events, and KRW 500 million as a management loan fund for fourmakgeolli export companies such as Pocheon Myeonga.

In addition, the province opened the first combination store in front of the Uijeongbu Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Office last July in an effort to increase the domestic market share. The province plans to open a second store in Suwon City and will continue its expansion of stores after evaluating the management status.

Agricultural Policy Division Director Kim Du-sik said, “Of Korea’s total makgolli exports, 64% were from Gyeonggi province. We’re globally recognized for quality. We plan to continue our investments in order to expand both domestic and foreign markets.”

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi’s makgeolli production is steadily increasing in response to the recent surge in makgeolliconsumption. Makgeolli production in 2005 was 25,000 tons, but the production of 2011 is predicted to reach 70,000 tons.

The province has also been conducting an export expansion project for exceptional in-province makgeolli. As a result, exports have been steadily increasing every year. Exports in 2011 will soon reach USD 20 million, which represents a more than a 10-fold increase from 2005, roughly from the amount of USD 1.74 million. Major makgeolli-importing countries include Japan, USA, China, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

– G-News Plus News | Noh Sun-ik rohsoon45@naver.com

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201111101730093219C052&s_code=C052