COEX-Korea International Trade Association, Full Resumption of Overseas Exhibitions After 3 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and COEX will officially resume overseas exhibitions for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic, starting with the ‘2022 Vietnam International Premium Consumer Goods Fair’ and the ‘10th Vietnam International Baby & Kids Fair,’ which open on the 2nd.

Over the past two years, overseas exhibitions were held as hybrid events in 2020 and online exhibitions in 2021 due to travel restrictions between countries, contributing to opportunities for Korean companies to explore overseas markets and export to New Southern countries.

This year’s Vietnam Consumer Goods Fair will feature over 150 consumer goods companies in sectors such as beauty, health, food, and daily necessities, and will host a business consultation meeting attended by more than 250 buyers from New Southern countries, providing a platform for overseas market development and investment attraction.

(Photo from the fifth person on the left) Key figures including Kang Myeong-il, Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Shin Seung-kwan, Executive Director of the Korea International Trade Association, and Lee Dong-gi, President of COEX, are taking a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony.

The exhibition, organized by KITA, will attract attention with the ‘Vietnam Korea Product Exhibition,’ where more than 50 excellent companies jointly selected by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and local governments including Incheon, Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, and Jeju will be showcased. Additionally, the ‘Chungcheong K-Venture Fair,’ featuring outstanding products from the Chungcheong region, will be held simultaneously.

Moreover, the Vietnam Baby & Kids Fair, co-hosted by COEX and World Exhibition, will feature over 100 leading companies in the infant industry from nine countries, with about 40 Korean companies participating alongside the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, and the Korea Stationery Industry Cooperative in national and promotional pavilions.

In particular, considering the significantly increased interest in infant safety between Vietnam and New Southern countries after COVID-19, this event will showcase a large number of high-quality and safe domestic premium brand products, including infant safety and antibacterial products, medical and pharmaceutical services, skincare, and kids cafes.

Starting with this overseas exhibition, COEX and KITA plan to consecutively hold the Vietnam-Korea Smart Power Energy Exhibition in July, the Hanoi Baby & Kids Fair in September, the Vietnam Retail Shop and Franchise Show, the Vietnam Dessert & Coffee Expo, and the Jakarta International Premium Consumer Goods Fair in November.

Kim Hyun-chul, Head of KITA’s Global Cooperation Division, stated, “Although Vietnam’s economy stagnated somewhat last year due to COVID-19, it remains an attractive market for Korean exporters due to low wages, eased administrative procedures by the Vietnamese government, free trade agreements with major trading partners, and supply chain diversification.” He added, “We plan to actively support the entry of small and medium-sized enterprises into Vietnam after the pandemic, using this event as a stepping stone.”

Lee Dong-gi, President of COEX, said, “As this year’s event is the first offline consumer goods and infant exhibition held normally since COVID-19, we expect more than 20,000 visitors including consumers and buyers from Vietnam and neighboring countries.” He expressed his ambition, saying, “Starting with Vietnam, we will actively contribute to market development for Korean companies by hosting COEX exhibitions in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.