South Korea will host its largest-ever international food expo this week in an effort to help promote its traditional cuisine and boost exports of fresh and processed foodstuffs, organizers said Tuesday.

   The 2011 Seoul Food Expo will be held at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, from Tuesday to Friday, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

   Over 1,100 companies from 45 countries will take part in the 29th Seoul Food Expo, making it the largest of its kind ever to be held in South Korea, KOTRA said.

   Nearly 1,000 bilateral meetings will also be held between South Korean companies and foreign participants during the four-day event, which are expected to lead to on-site deals worth some US$100 million and future deals amounting to over $1 billion, KOTRA said.

   "We will continue to develop the Seoul Food Expo into a leading international event especially from next year when we will mark the 30th anniversary of the start of the event," KOTRA president Cho Hwan-eik said.

   The event is also open to the public and the proceeds from admissions will be donated to charitable organizations, such as food banks and Save the Children, KOTRA said.

Source: Yonhap News (April 26, 2011)