KOTRA Mobilizes All-Out Efforts with 13 Middle East Trade Offices to Minimize Impact on Exports and Supply Chains

Expansion of Emergency Support Vouchers, Overseas Branch Support, and Joint Logistics Centers

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (hereinafter referred to as KOTRA) announced on the 15th that it will strengthen its all-out response to minimize damages to export companies and stabilize domestic supply chains by utilizing the 1.098 trillion won emergency supplementary budget for the war, recently finalized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Previously, on the 14th, KOTRA held the 18th Middle East Emergency Response Task Force Meeting at its headquarters, connecting all executives at headquarters and overseas trade offices not only in the Middle East but also in North America, South and West Asia, and CIS regions via video conference. At the meeting, presided over by President Kang Kyungsung, the agency reviewed the progress and comprehensive plans for Middle East export company support projects utilizing the supplementary budget, and continued discussions on stabilizing the supply chain of key items.

On the 14th, Kang Kyung-sung, President of KOTRA, spoke at the 18th Middle East War Emergency Response Task Force meeting held at KOTRA headquarters. Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency

First, KOTRA will expand emergency support vouchers, overseas branch support for companies affected by the Middle East conflict, and the overseas joint logistics center support project using the supplementary budget. Together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, KOTRA is currently recruiting additional participating companies for the emergency support voucher program until the 26th, expanding both the number of supported companies, eligible countries, and support limits. In March, 8 billion won was allocated for the emergency voucher program, resulting in the selection of 158 companies last week: 66 companies on the fast-track (within three days of application) and 92 companies on the general track. The additional emergency voucher program, which is more than three times larger than the March round, will provide 25.5 billion won from the war-related supplementary budget to support around 500 companies.

To address the logistics (transportation) difficulties faced by export companies, KOTRA will expand storage and inland transportation support using the 'overseas joint logistics centers,' which are operated in collaboration with local logistics specialists. Applications for participation will be accepted until the 26th, applying the same fast-track review as the emergency voucher program. The support amount per company will also be doubled from 12 million won to 24 million won, with plans to support around 380 companies.

In addition, since the 13th, KOTRA has been recruiting companies for the "Middle East Emergency Branch Support Project" to help those unable to travel or negotiate with buyers due to the conflict. From now until February 2026, companies with export records to the Middle East can apply for support, which includes arranging meetings with local buyers, managing business relationships on their behalf, and discovering new buyers in regions outside the Middle East. The participation fee will be lowered to 10-30% of the previous level, and the selection process will be simplified.

KOTRA also plans to devote all its efforts to on-site support through the "Middle East War Emergency Response Consultation Desk," its 13 trade offices in the Middle East, and cooperation with government and related organizations. Since the war began, the consultation desk operated by KOTRA has received a total of 435 inquiries and requests for assistance.

Companies facing logistics difficulties can access information on 24 ports near Gulf countries and possible alternative routes provided daily by the 13 Middle East trade offices, as well as emergency voucher and joint logistics center services. KOTRA also provides quotations, consultations, and discount services in the Middle East region through its export logistics collaboration network (Samsung SDS, DHL, Taewoong Logistics). Issues related to exports and project execution can be supported by connecting export experts at the headquarters consultation desk with local trade offices in the Middle East.

Kang Kyungsung, President of KOTRA, stated, "As uncertainty over the Middle East war continues, an all-out response to resolve export company difficulties and stabilize supply chains is urgently needed. We will ensure the supplementary budget projects are implemented quickly and thoroughly to provide real help to companies, and, considering the emergency situation, we will do our utmost to provide flexible on-site support through domestic and overseas organizational networks and to secure alternative supply sources."

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