SEOUL—South Korea has launched its largest-ever national export campaign, the '2025 Export Boom-Up Korea Week,' utilizing the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting as a springboard to broaden its trade base and reinforce global market momentum. The campaign, which will run from October 21 to November 7, is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
The initiative is strategically timed to precede the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, from October 31 to November 1. The 21 APEC member economies are a crucial market for South Korea, accounting for a significant 76% of its total exports last year.
Massive Scale and Global Participation
The 'Export Boom-Up Korea Week' is being hosted at major exhibition centers nationwide, including KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang. The scale of this year's event has seen a massive increase, with the number of participating domestic export companies reaching over 4,000, a 30% jump from the previous year. The total number of affiliated exhibitions has also grown from 20 to 28, covering strategic sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, future mobility, shipbuilding, marine industries, biohealth, and consumer goods.
Crucially, the event has attracted significant interest from global corporate buyers, with an expected 1,700 overseas companies attending from over 70 countries. Among the high-profile international buyers are major players like the UK's largest defense contractor BAE Systems, US automotive giant General Motors (GM), and Africa's largest electronics firm, El Araby.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) projects that the event will host over 10,000 export consultations, leading to Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and contracts valued at an estimated $350 million.
Integrated Support and 'Bleisure' Offerings
Beyond one-on-one business consultations, the week-long campaign features comprehensive support programs for domestic firms. These include one-stop consulting services to address export difficulties, as well as specialized assistance for K-Food safety standards. The event also features 25 dedicated halls, including an Innovation Hall showcasing technologies from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and a special pavilion for small merchants.
Concurrently, regional exhibitions are taking place across the country: the Korea Electronics Show and Semiconductor Exhibition in the Seoul metropolitan area; the Osong Cosmetics & Beauty Expo in the Chungcheong region; the Daegu Future Innovation Technology Expo and Busan International Shipbuilding & Marine Industry Exhibition in the Yeongnam region; and the Gwangju BIXPO and Mokpo Namdo International Food Fair in the Honam region.
To enhance the experience for visiting foreign business delegates, KOTRA has partnered with the Korea Tourism Organization to offer a 'Bleisure' program—combining Business and Leisure. This initiative introduces overseas executives to local attractions and cultural experiences before or after their official trade appointments.
Government Pledges Full Support
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung inaugurated the 'Export Boom-Up Korea Week' at KINTEX, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting the nation's entrepreneurs.
Minister Yeo stressed that the goal is to "showcase the brand power of Korean companies to the world and use the APEC event as a steppingstone for a global leap." President Kang affirmed KOTRA's resolve, stating, "Despite the changing trade environment, we are determined to achieve record-high exports this year."
The APEC 2025 Summit is being held under the theme, "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper," highlighting Korea's focus on regional trade revitalization, AI cooperation, and sustainability.
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