Announcing the MOU Between the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Modification And Replacement Parts Association (MARPA)

WASHINGTON, DC – MARPA is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Korea’s national trade promotion organization,  and Modification And Replacement Parts Association (MARPA), the non-profit trade association that represents the Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) community.

Signed on June 15 by MARPA President Jason Dickstein and KOTRA Executive Vice President Wonsok Yun at a business and technology cooperation conference in Washington, DC, the MOU encourages collaboration between our two organizations to promote success and safety that will benefit both the US PMA community and Korean aerospace companies.  This event was attended with the support of the International Trade Administration, as a part of a three year Department of Commerce grant to increase the export of PMA parts.

From left, Ryan Aggergaard (MARPA Associate), Fred Elliot (ITA), Jason Dickstein (MARPA President), Wonsok Yun (KOTRA Executive VP),  Tae – Sik Lee (KOTRA North American General Manager), Jongchoon Kim (KOTRA Director General,Washington DC)

KOTRA is Korea’s national trade promotion organization. It serves as a bridge between Korean companies and potential partners overseas, including the U.S., through matching companies that would be the most appropriate and mutually beneficial business partner. It also organizes and hosts international exhibitions and cyber business centers designed to connect Korean companies with overseas markets and suppliers. KOTRA has eight offices nationwide, including near MARPA headquarters in Washington.

As part of this MOU, MARPA anticipates the opportunity to meet with Korean MROs and Air Carriers, as well as parts manufacturers, in order to provide information regarding the FAA PMA parts program, regulations, and quality standards in order to encourage safety and expanded trade between Korea and the US.  Worldwide press published articles like this Korean trade article, announcing the agreement.

Future updates will be posted on this blog regarding an upcoming event in Seoul that will offer an opportunity for MARPA members to provide information to customers in this expanding market!