KITA (Chairman: Jin-Sik Yoon) and major Certified Trading Companies, including BGF Retail, GS Retail and Lotte Mart, co-hosted "Certified Trading Companies - SMEs Export Consultation Fair 2025" from Wednesday to Thursday, 2 - 3 April at COEX in Seoul.
A total of 305 newly established exporting firms specialising in the exports as well as domestic supply of food & beverage, household items, cosmetics, household appliances applied to attend this year's consultation. Out of 305 firms, 132 firms were selected to be matched with merchandisers from the abovementioned six conglomerates and a total of 256 individual consultations were held. Out of 132 firms, merchandisers will cherrypick those with potential and they will be offered with opportunities to attend exhibitions held in 10 countries* during the second half of the year, which are aimed at promoting K-products and have a chance to showcase their products to local consumers.
* Australia, China, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Paraguay, Taiwan, U.S. and Vietnam
Hee-cheol Jeong, the Executive Director of Trade Promotion Group mentioned, "A delay in the recovery of the domestic market triggered by high interest rate and higher prices and greater uncertainty in the global trading environment are adding difficulties to our SMEs". He also said, "We will stand in the front line to help promising firms to secure export channels by expanding collaboration with Certified Trading Companies, by taking their unique strengths into accoount depending on the product they specialise in and their primary means of exports".