Yangju City Successfully Targets Southeast Asian Market at 'SEOUL FOOD in BANGKOK 2025'

Yangju City in Gyeonggi Province successfully concluded its market development activities in Southeast Asia, with seven local food companies participating in the 'SEOUL FOOD in Bangkok 2025' exhibition held in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 26 to 28.

Yangju City has been actively exploring the Southeast Asian market with seven local food companies participating in the 'SEOUL FOOD in Bangkok 2025' expo held in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 26 to 28. Provided by Yangju City

This overseas market development delegation is particularly significant as the city independently initiated the establishment of its own overseas export support network.

The 'SEOUL FOOD in Bangkok 2025' exhibition is a B2B food industry event targeting buyers from Thailand, Asia, and Oceania, organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). For this event, the city set up a joint pavilion to systematically support product promotion and buyer matchmaking for local companies. During the exhibition, the city also held two business meetings to review companies' consultation preparations and promptly address on-site needs, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

As a result, there were over 230 buyer consultations during the exhibition, leading to achievements such as test placements, follow-up meetings, and on-site contracts. Major distributors from Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia showed strong interest in Yangju's specialized products, including vegan, ready-to-eat, and health foods, confirming the potential for expanding into local markets.

The most significant outcome of this visit to Bangkok was that Yangju City went beyond simple exhibition participation and took direct action to expand its overseas network.

In cooperation with the KOTRA Northern Gyeonggi Support Office, the city held an official meeting with the Thai Chamber of Commerce on November 27, actively supporting local partner discovery and network connections for Yangju-based companies. The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Sarot Chayawiwatkun, Director Sarawut Ratchanakul, and Advisor Mongkol Sinsombun, who engaged in in-depth discussions on market entry strategies for Yangju companies and ways to expand economic and industrial exchanges. Both sides agreed to strengthen the export support network between the two countries and to promote friendly economic cooperation through the KOTRA Bangkok Trade Center.

Additionally, during the exhibition, the city arranged a business meeting with INTEQC Group, a leading Thai food company. Meti Visujjai, Executive in charge of strategic financial investment, and representatives from local companies discussed various collaboration opportunities, including export strategies, joint promotions, and distribution and investment cooperation. Four companies-Hanmandu, Good Food, Geoseong Food, and Samsung Food-introduced their products directly, laying the groundwork for practical partnerships.

This market development initiative is meaningful not only because of the exhibition participation, but also because the local government directly established an overseas network and an on-site support system for companies. Local buyers commented that it is unusual and highly trustworthy for a local government to be directly involved in export support. This led to notable results, including 12 test placement contracts worth 930,000 USD signed on-site. With many buyers expressing intentions to purchase (import), dozens of additional contracts are expected to be signed after overseas certification and customs consulting.

Kang Suhyeon, Mayor of Yangju City, stated, "K-Food is the future growth engine of Yangju City. Having reconfirmed the competitiveness of our local companies through this exhibition in Bangkok, we will further strengthen administrative and network support to expand exports."

Yoon Changcheol, Chairman of the Yangju City Council, also emphasized, "The overseas expansion of local companies is the foundation for the sustainable growth of Yangju's economy. We will spare no effort in providing policy and budgetary support to boost exports."

Meanwhile, Yangju City plans to continue its overseas market development activities, focusing on Southeast Asia, by providing tailored post-management support for each company, including follow-up consultations with buyers, overseas certification and customs consulting, and test placement connections even after the exhibition.

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