Malaysia Strengthens South Korea Presence With Largest-Ever KIE Delegation
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is strengthening its presence in the South Korean market with its largest-ever participation at the Korea Import Expo (KIE) 2026, according to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).
The trade agency said a total of 17 Malaysian companies are participating in the event, which is being held in Seoul from today until June 25.
Of the 17 participating companies, 10 are from Majlis Amanah Rakyat's (MARA) Gate to Global Programme.
MATRADE said this is Malaysia's second consecutive participation in KIE following its debut last year, underscoring ongoing efforts to capture more business opportunities in the South Korean market.
“The Malaysia Pavilion showcases a diverse range of products and solutions spanning the lifestyle and food and beverage sectors.
“Among the products featured are health and wellness products, natural and herbal-based products, detergents, snacks and confectionery, sauces and condiments, ready-to-eat and frozen foods, bird’s nest products, household consumer products, as well as premium halal-certified products,” it said in a statement.
MATRADE added that the showcase aims to increase the visibility of Malaysian brands, facilitate targeted business matching with local importers, and identify fresh market niches to further solidify bilateral trade relations.
Chief executive officer Abu Bakar Yusof said South Korea is a sophisticated and dynamic market, with consumers increasingly seeking quality, innovative and sustainable products.
“Through this platform, we aim to facilitate meaningful business engagements, unlock new export opportunities and strengthen the presence of Malaysian brands in the South Korean market.
“We are confident that the strong complementarity between our two economies will support deeper trade linkages, paving the way for greater collaboration in the years ahead,” he said.
MATRADE said given the response to Malaysia's inaugural participation last year, it expects the Malaysia Pavilion to generate substantial business leads and secure commercial linkages between Malaysian exporters and South Korean distributors.
It noted that South Korea remains one of Malaysia's key trading partners, with total trade between the two countries reaching RM117.12 billion (US$27.42 billion) in 2025, up 6.8 per cent from the previous year.
”Malaysia's exports to South Korea amounted to RM52.62 billion (US$12.31 billion), while imports stood at RM64.51 billion (US$15.11 billion).
”Major exports included electrical and electronic products, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products, as well as machinery, equipment and parts," it said, adding that this robust performance presents significant avenues for Malaysian exporters to further diversify their presence in the region.
--BERNAMA