Government Complex Daejeon where the Public Procurement Service is located / Korea Times file

The Public Procurement Service (PPS) is hosting the Global Public Procurement Marketplace (GPPM) 2024 in Seoul from Wednesday to Thursday, to help businesses expand globally.

GPPM, the nation's largest overseas procurement consultation fair, has been held annually since 2016, inviting international organizations, foreign procurement agencies and overseas buyers. With 97 overseas buyers and over 260 domestic companies, approximately 750 business consultations — 1.8 times more than last year — are expected to take place.

It also features overseas procurement information sessions, with speakers from major organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations World Food Programme, Colombia's National Public Procurement Agency, Chile's Central Supply Center of the National Health Services System and the U.S. General Services Administration. These sessions aim to provide insights into government procurement opportunities across diverse regions and sectors.

Foreign reporters examine products displayed at the Global Public Procurement Marketplace 2024 in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Public Procurement Service

Promotional booths are also set up, allowing international buyers and procurement agencies to experience and appreciate government-designated "Excellent and Innovative" products from Korean businesses.

"The ultimate goal of public procurement companies is export and global expansion," PPS Administrator Lim Ki-keun said.

"Despite challenging external conditions, our companies' strong export drive has enabled us to host this record-breaking GPPM 2024. We are committed to supporting and fostering this bold ambition, helping it translate into tangible business success," he said.