As a part of its efforts to boost trade and exports, South Korea has

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begun cutting the red tape in the visa procedure for foreign buyers invited by local firms.

Under the new system, foreign buyers carrying an invitation from one of the 121 state-selected small-and medium-sized firms will be given a visa simply by presenting a document proving their employment, the Justice Ministry said yesterday.

In the past, foreign nationals were required to submit up to eight documents to obtain a temporary business visa.

Under the eased rule, the district immigration offices will issue a visa certificate form, which applicants can submit to the Korean embassies overseas for visa issuance without further examination procedures, ministry officials said.

The ministry plans to expand the programme in the second half of the year by designating additional promising small- and medium-sized businesses among firms that have annual overseas sales of over USD 1 million and have not violated the immigration laws over the past two years, the officials noted.