By Kim Young Deok and Lee Jihae

With many countries requesting Korean-made test kits for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), export of the kits is being ramped up.

Test kit manufacturers have gained a stronger export route through diplomacy and civic channels, with agreements on export of the kits being concluded with countries seeking to boost their COVID-19 diagnostic capacity such as Poland, Hungary and Romania.

Clinomics, a provider of genome-based diagnostic services, signed on April 2 a contract with the Hungarian government to export test kits worth KRW 5 billion for half a million test kits to be exported on flights.

The company said it is negotiating with many countries to supply the kits and plans to ensure a smooth supply.

Talks are also ongoing on the long-term supply of test kits made in Korea. Solgent, which offers products and services for molecular diagnostic tests, on April 2 said it will export 300,000 kits worth KRW 7 billion to the Polish government. The Eastern European nation requested to sign a contract on a stable long-term supply.

Other governments abroad are expressing gratitude to Korea for sending test kits. On March 27, Romanian parliamentarian Petru Movila sent a letter of gratitude to Bioneer, a Korean biotech company that sent COVID-19 test kits to the Eastern European nation.

The lawmaker expressed "thanks and profound gratitude," adding that "the Romanian people have benefited from the highest (Korean) quality products" in the hard battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

He asked the Korean government to continue supplying Romania with the needed equipment to help the Romanian people overcome these difficult times.

kyd1991@korea.kr