Gyeonggi Province announced on the 7th that it is recruiting ten small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the ‘2026 Gyeonggi Province Non-Tariff Barrier Response ASEAN (Halal) Export Consultation Meeting’ scheduled for July 7th. This strategic initiative serves to support local halal-certified companies in penetrating the lucrative ASEAN market.

The export consultation event will take place from September 7th to 12th in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, employing a one-on-one export consultation format with local buyers. This approach reflects a targeted effort to facilitate direct business engagements, which are crucial in securing sales and establishing market footholds in a fast-growing region.

Indonesia and Malaysia represent the world's largest halal consumer markets, currently demonstrating sustained demand growth not only in food and beverages but also in cosmetics and everyday consumer goods. The increasing awareness and regulatory frameworks surrounding halal products in these countries amplify the potential for local enterprises to capitalize on this trend.

Notably, Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Law mandates a gradual intensification of mandatory halal certification, with regulations affecting key categories such as food, beverages, and cosmetics set to be enforced from October. This regulatory landscape underscores the importance of proactively addressing non-tariff barriers, with Gyeonggi Province aiming to assist local companies in navigating complex market entry requirements.

Participating companies will benefit from several facilitative measures including reimbursement for 50% of one representative's airfare (up to 600,000 KRW), local transportation via group vehicles, dedicated interpretation services, export consultation space, and assistance with matching marketing expenses. However, participants must cover a portion of airfare, accommodation, product sample shipping costs, and applicable tariffs.

The selection of companies will be based on comprehensive evaluations of export readiness, the possession of foreign certifications such as halal, and the feasibility within local markets, with results to be disclosed on July 14th. Furthermore, in conjunction with buyer consultations, preparatory briefings, buyer demand analyses, and localization of marketing materials will be supported to maximize consulting outcomes.

Park Kyung-seo, head of International Trade at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "ASEAN stands as a burgeoning halal consumer market with immense potential for growth. However, overcoming non-tariff barriers—such as halal certification and local regulations—remains a significant challenge for market entry. We expect this consultation meeting to enable our outstanding SMEs to navigate these regulatory hurdles and establish long-term business partnerships aligned with local industries."