- Foodpolis is a business gateway, from food companies to 20 percent of the world's population. Its holistic approach will contribute to help solve the world's most complex issues of the food sector: from the development of food, processing and manufacturing of products to R&D of new technologies

SEOUL, South Korea, June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of South Korea and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has started to promote Foodpolis, a food industrial complex dedicated to research, development and processing of food products to supply the world's largest consumer markets. Located in the heart of Asia, among 1.5 billion people within a two-hour flight range, Korea's international food hub is fully supported by the Government of South Korea and will enable food businesses to operate more efficiently in key Asian markets, which are responsible today for approximately 32 percent of the global food consuming market.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130603/HK23091-INFO )

This ambitious project, which plans to be the home of 160 food companies and ten R&D centers, is ever more relevant today as food quality and safety are priority to satisfy the increasing demand and regain the consumer confidence. The world is walking towards a global population of nine billion people -- it is a new reality of consumers, a more urbanized growing middle-class and population is rapidly aging. Especially, with Asia-Pacific holding a significant market share in the global food market, the R&D centers in Foodpolis will constantly be looking ahead for new demands, trends and global issues.

"It is needed to invest up to 200billion USD per year on food industry for securing food safety and solving health issues according to population growth and demographic change."

On May 15th, 2013, at the 3rd International Food Cluster Forum in South Korea, McKinsey & Company's General Manager of Global Public Sector, Andrew Grant, emphasized the importance of investment in food industry. And Foodpolis is taking the initiative in this point with active national involvement.

Furthermore, Foodpolis will provide efficient connection to its neighboring markets, facilitating imports and exports -- an exclusive airport, port, railroad and a complex of highways compose its logistic capabilities. Foodpolis' strategic location and free trade agreements with more than 47 countries have enticed the attention of global businesses: the ministry has over 60 investment memorandums of understanding signed with key food companies and R&D centers, such as the Canadian Sunopta, the Japanese Jalux and the Dutch NIZO Research Institute.

"More than a business platform, Foodpolis is a place where global experts in food meet to discuss research and develop solutions for the world's most complex issues. We bring together experts on the global obesity epidemic, food scarcity and the growing problem of hunger, the shifting demographics and the link of food and wellbeing, food costs and policies, among others. Foodpolis is a knowledge-based center, with owned intellectual property focused on how to best address global food needs," said Kim Kyung Mee, director of Korea National Food Cluster.

In addition, a representative from the Canadian premier food company, SunOpta, expressed "we have high expectations for the Asia and Korea market and is planning to actively participate in the competition."

Korea is certainly appropriate as the key location for companies to watch Asian market and fulfill its mission to feed the billions of people in Asia. Foodpolis will play a pivotal role to accomplish this.

SOURCE The Government of South Korea and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) Foodpolis Team