Gyeonggi Province announced on the 30th that it successfully facilitated $3.39 million in contracts through its '2026 Gyeonggi Province Non-Tariff Barrier Response European Export Consultation' held from May 25 to 30 in Prague, Czech Republic and Vienna, Austria. This event was pivotal for promoting exports amidst a growing demand for cosmetic products in Europe, showcasing the region's efforts to navigate stringent non-tariff barriers.

The export consultations underscored the increasing interest among European buyers for reliable, eco-conscious beauty brands. Ten promising Gyeonggi-based beauty companies participated, all of which had completed registration with the European Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) or held international certifications. This positioning allowed these firms to engage in high-quality discussions centered around product safety and competitive quality, crucial factors for success in the European market.

Conducted through tailored 1:1 meetings with local buyers, the consultations were supported by Gyeonggi's holistic assistance framework, which included localized buyer matching, dedicated interpretation services, and even financial support for travel expenses and pre-consultation training on the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). These measures significantly enhanced the engagement level of participating companies, resulting in impressive consultation statistics.

In Prague, discussions with 25 firms led to a consultation value of $5.56 million, with contract negotiations pushing for around $2.42 million; meanwhile, in Vienna, 21 firms generated a consultation outcome of $2.09 million and potential contracts worth $970,000. Such figures not only indicate strong buyer interest but also reflect the growing credibility of Gyeonggi’s beauty offerings in competitive foreign landscapes.

One participant, a representative from A Company based in Hanam, expressed satisfaction with the insights gained regarding product competitiveness in the European scene, particularly concerning pricing strategies influenced by the FTA. The firm, previously struggling with profitability in the U.S. market due to tariff challenges under the previous administration, sees this venture as a critical opportunity to diversify and strengthen its market presence.

Prior to the consultations, Gyeonggi Province had invested in educating participants on the nuances of the Korea-EU FTA, among other relevant tariff reduction strategies. This approach enabled local businesses to compete more effectively against rivals from China and Japan, who have historically dominated the European market.

Park Kyung-seo, head of international trade for Gyeonggi Province, stated that although Europe possesses high purchasing power, it also presents formidable non-tariff barriers. The recent consultations proved invaluable in affirming the competitiveness of Gyeonggi-based beauty products and their viability in penetrating the European market. Moving forward, Gyeonggi will enhance its support, focusing on expanding CPNP registration assistance and post-consultation marketing strategies tailored to sustainable growth.