On June 24, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, led by Minister Kim Jong-kwan, announced a comprehensive strategy to alleviate international certification challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the K-consumer goods sector. The initiative aims to establish a more inclusive export framework, termed "Export for All," ensuring that diverse players share in the benefits of K-shaped economic growth. This governmental push reflects a broader strategy to enhance export capabilities amidst rising global uncertainties.
The meeting focused on several key initiatives, including a comprehensive support strategy for overseas certification, a roadmap for entering the halal market, and plans for creating an integrated export platform for K-consumer goods. Attendees included representatives from various ministries, export support organizations, retail firms, and SMEs, highlighting the collaborative effort in addressing certification difficulties and expanding the K-consumer goods export landscape.
The government aims to significantly reduce the burden of overseas certification through the “Comprehensive Support Strategy for Export Enterprises' Overseas Certification.” This strategy includes increasing the types of certifications issueable domestically from 212 to over 500 by 2028. Such a move could lower operational barriers for companies seeking international recognition by enabling them to secure necessary certifications without traveling abroad, thus enhancing their agility in the global marketplace.
Additionally, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) is set to implement a robust program to assist K-consumer goods in entering halal markets. This effort involves facilitating cooperation between domestic and international halal certification agencies and expanding the scope of recognized product categories to include cosmetics and household goods. By leveraging KITA’s overseas offices in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, a proposed “K-Halal Bridge” will serve as a conduit for collaboration, thereby strengthening export readiness to these lucrative markets.
In a further strategic alignment, the government will develop a “Convergence Export Platform for K-Consumer Goods.” This platform aims to enhance synergy between consumer goods and the distribution sector, facilitating a streamlined pathway for new K-consumer brands. By supporting the advancement of specialized distribution platforms and tackling export-related challenges like certification and logistics, this initiative seeks to bolster the visibility and accessibility of K-consumer goods across global markets.
With a target of establishing ten national representative reverse-commerce platforms for K-consumer goods by 2030, the strategy emphasizes a differentiated approach based on product and regional specialization. Comprehensive support will cover connections with domestic consumer goods firms, overseas marketing, and bolstering payment infrastructure, thus enhancing the overall export capability of K-consumer brands.
Moreover, the initiative will intensify the integration of online-to-offline (O2O) support, effectively connecting K-consumer brands validated by online demand to physical retail networks abroad. A detailed “K-Consumer Goods Export Base Map” will provide strategic insights for market entry, along with robust support for running local stores and pop-up locations abroad. This multifaceted approach signals a significant commitment to not only expanding the footprint of K-consumer goods but also responding to evolving consumer behaviors and market dynamics on a global scale.
