This study was performed as part of a strong initiative to expand overseas markets to achieve the goal of agro-foods and fisheries export of USD 20 billion by 2017. It has closely looked at and redesigned the current operating system of Overseas aT Centers, the name of aT’s overseas operations, in alignment with the changing export environment, and considered ways to boost their functions and roles. The plans for new advance into strategically important countries and operations at those sites were also drafted.
The vision of Overseas aT Centers is set as “growing into a globally competitive overseas hub for agro-food export.” To realize the vision, the study proposes three objectives for Overseas aT Centers as follows: First, Overseas aT Centers need to open and run 25 to 30 centers in six regional blocks around the world by 2020. Second, the export rates of the regions with Overseas aT Centers should be boosted up to 90%. Third, the export contribution of the Overseas aT Center-located regions should be increased to 30%.
The study suggests five key directions supporting the medium and long-term growth of Overseas aT Centers. First, the Centers should be more systematically operated by expanding geographical reach and enlarging the coverage of each Center. Second, efficient export support system should be established through proper staffing. Third, the Center's business capability should be improved by accumulating more expertise, and the one-stop services for export and import should be available. Fourth, HQ and Overseas aT Centers should more closely coordinate on business, and the Center's autonomy and efficiency in project management should be improved by amending project operating system such as budget reform. And lastly, over the long haul, Overseas aT Centers should nurture individual business capability by initiating projects on their own and pursue for securing more independent and auto-nomous management.

Researchers: Ji-hyeon Choi, In-bae Ji, Jae-bong Chang
Research period: 2011. 9 ~ 2011. 12
E-mail address: jihchoi@krei.re.kr