Promoting the Safety, Quality, and Brand Value of Korean Agricultural Products through Sponsorship of Stevia Cherry Tomatoes during the Ministerial Meetings
Actively Supporting the Use of the Ministerial Meetings as a Springboard for Private Companies' Global Market Expansion
Yoon Jung-in, Head of the APEC Finance and Structural Reform Ministers' Meeting Task Force at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Jung Sang-won, CEO of TMS GLOBAL, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, October 16, to provide official sponsorship in support of the successful hosting of the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting and the Structural Reform Ministers' Meeting, scheduled to be held in Incheon from October 21 to 23.
Under this agreement, TMS GLOBAL will sponsor stevia cherry tomatoes made from domestically produced agricultural products during the event period and provide them to delegations from the 21 APEC member economies, representatives of international organizations, as well as domestic and international event participants.
Stevia cherry tomatoes are a functional agricultural product developed through food-tech innovation, reflecting the growing health-conscious consumer trend. By utilizing natural sweetening ingredients, they enhance sweetness while reducing calories. Distribution is being expanded through various channels, both online and offline.
Yoon Jung-in stated, "As the host economy, Korea is welcoming APEC back to the country for the first time in 20 years. Taking this opportunity, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will actively support private companies in leveraging the meetings as a stepping stone for global market expansion." He added, "With up to 2,000 participants expected at the Finance and Structural Reform Ministers' Meetings - including delegations, businesses, academia, and media representatives - this sponsorship is expected to contribute positively to securing global references and enhancing international awareness."
Jung Sang-won, CEO of TMS GLOBAL, remarked, "TMS has established its own stevia research center and manufacturing facilities to process and produce high-quality stevia cherry tomatoes, while accelerating its entry into overseas markets. Through the Finance and Structural Reform Ministers' Meetings, we will carefully and safely prepare and provide our stevia cherry tomatoes to actively promote the excellence and quality of Korean functional agricultural products."
Meanwhile, this agreement marks the final official MOU signed ahead of the Finance and Structural Reform Ministers' Meetings. Including this agreement, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has concluded a total of four MOUs - covering protocol vehicles (Hyundai Motor Company), desserts (Buchang Confectionery), and a pan-government cooperative framework (Incheon Metropolitan City). Through close public-private collaboration, the Ministry aims to ensure the successful hosting of the Finance and Structural Reform Ministers' Meetings.
Source: Ministry of Economy and Finance / NEWSIS (https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20251016_0003365476)