Incheon’s Participation in K-EXPO Spain: A Strategic Entry into European Markets

On June 12-13, Incheon participated in the K-EXPO SPAIN 2026 held in Madrid, achieving a notable record of 5.6 billion KRW in export consultations, thus confirming the potential for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to penetrate the European market.

This event facilitated a joint exhibition for eight Incheon beauty companies, enhancing regional brand visibility through the Incheon promotional booth. Drawing participation from over 317 local buyers and 81 companies within the K-beauty and K-food sectors, the expo served as a critical platform for Incheon to enhance its international market presence and construct networks within the expatriate economic community.

During the event, a total of 81 export consultations occurred at the Incheon corporate exhibition hall, amounting to 3.25 million euros (approximately 5.6 billion KRW). Noteworthy was the securing of an export contract by participant Korean Lighting with a local company, signifying a tangible entry into the European market, which is crucial for establishing operational footprints in this lucrative region.

By engaging in one-on-one business discussions with local buyers, participating companies validated their potential for market entry, particularly for skincare and functional cosmetic products, which received considerable attention. The event went beyond mere product showcases, setting the foundation for actual export contracts and creating local distribution networks.

Incheon also leveraged the event to promote the '2025-2026 Year of Overseas Koreans Visiting Incheon' and the 24th World Korean Entrepreneurs Convention. The promotional booth drew over 1,200 visitors, and a social media campaign engaged around 700 participants, underscoring the high interest among local attendees.

Furthermore, consultations with major overseas Korean economic organizations, such as World-OKTA and the European Federation of Korean Entrepreneurs, opened avenues for supporting overseas market entries and collaborating on attracting buyers for the World Korean Entrepreneurs Convention.

The city of Incheon intends to capitalize on this expo to reinforce its network among expatriate economic individuals in Europe, transforming these connections into a robust global platform for supporting regional companies in their international ventures.