Gyeonggi Province Invites SMEs to Participate in ASEAN Export Consultation

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 10th that it is calling for participation from ten small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the '2026 Gyeonggi Province Non-Tariff Barrier Response ASEAN (Halal) Export Consultation' set to support the export of halal products in the region. This move highlights the province's commitment to enhancing the global competitiveness of its local firms in lucrative international markets.

Scheduled from September 7 to 12, the export consultation will take place over four days in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This strategic initiative aims to facilitate direct one-on-one consultations with local buyers, thereby creating valuable entry points for Gyeonggi's businesses into the ASEAN market, which shows promising growth potential.

Indonesia and Malaysia, recognized for housing the world's largest halal consumer markets, have seen a steady increase in demand for halal-certified products across various categories, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and daily consumer goods. This trend presents significant commercial opportunities for Gyeonggi enterprises aiming to diversify their export portfolios.

Moreover, Indonesia is progressively implementing the Halal Product Assurance Law, which mandates halal certification for key product categories, including food, beverages, and cosmetics, starting in October. This regulatory landscape presents both challenges and opportunities; Gyeonggi Province aims to proactively address non-tariff barriers through this export consultation, ultimately facilitating smoother distribution network entry for participating firms.

Participating companies will benefit from various support services, including 50% reimbursement of airfare (up to 600,000 KRW) for one traveler per company, local transportation, provision of professional interpreters, consultation space, and matching marketing costs. However, certain expenses like partial airfare, accommodation, and shipping for product samples will remain the responsibility of the participating enterprises, emphasizing the need for thorough financial planning.

The selection of participating companies will be made based on comprehensive evaluations, including readiness for export, possession of international certifications (such as halal), and market viability. The results of this evaluation will be announced on July 14. Additionally, to maximize consultation outcomes, the province will support pre-briefings, buyer demand analysis, and the localization of marketing materials.

Gyeonggi Province's International Trade Division head, Park Kyung-seo, stated, "ASEAN is a rapidly growing halal consumer market with high growth potential. However, entering this market can be challenging due to halal certification and local regulations. We expect that this consultation will help our excellent SMEs overcome these barriers and establish long-term business partnerships connected to the local industry." This initiative not only underscores Gyeonggi Province’s strategic foresight but also signals the importance of navigating regulatory frameworks in order to compete effectively in the global beauty industry.