Event to Simultaneously Boost Exports and Domestic Sales Channels for Industrial Complex Tenant Companies

KICEF 2026 Opens on September 14, Inviting 100 Global Buyers
'2026 Industrial Complex Day' to Be Held in Daegu

A large-scale business meeting event will be held to support both overseas expansion and domestic market access for companies located within industrial complexes. As last year's inaugural event recorded business consultations totaling approximately USD 100 million, this year’s fair is also anticipated to generate substantial export opportunities.

The Korea Industrial Complex Corporation announced on September 8 that it will host the '2nd Korea Industrial Complex Export Fair (KICEF 2026)' at Daegu EXCO. From September 14 to 16, the event will feature an industrial exhibition hall with around 400 booths, offering participating companies the chance to showcase outstanding products and technologies.

This year’s fair will feature intensive one-on-one export consultations between over 100 global buyers from Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia and participating companies. At last year's event, on-site contracts reached USD 2.74 million, with business consultations achieving around USD 100 million, and 431 contracts were pursued.

Overseas buyers are taking commemorative photos at the "1st Korea Industrial Complex Export Fair (KICEF)" held last year. Korea Industrial Complex Corporation

In addition to export support, the fair will actively help companies enter the domestic distribution market in collaboration with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. On September 14 and 15, twelve active product planners (MDs) from e-commerce and home shopping channels will be invited to the venue for about 100 personalized one-on-one purchasing consultations. The main targets are tenant companies producing consumer goods that can be sold online through B2C (business-to-consumer) channels. This domestic market support will not end at on-site consultations but will be followed up through to the end of the year to ensure sales results. After a selection process including channel company product reviews, 14 companies with exceptional product competitiveness and market potential will be finally chosen, and they will receive tailored sales promotion programs such as online exclusive showcases and 10–30% discount coupons on platforms like the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency’s ‘PanPandaero’ platform. Last year, participating companies posted KRW 14.1 million in sales through purchasing consultations and online sales support.

The Korea Industrial Complex Corporation plans to further strengthen its end-to-end support system, helping tenant companies overcome difficulties in market access, from entering major distribution channels to boosting online sales. The aim is to establish KICEF as the leading business platform for tenant companies seeking new markets and increased sales.

KICEF is part of the '62nd Industrial Complex Day' ceremony, which will kick off at Daegu EXCO on September 14. This year, a total of 153 individuals who contributed to the development of industrial complexes will receive government prizes and commendations from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. The event will also feature 12 lecture sessions with over 30 participants including leading AI scholars and big tech experts, discussing manufacturing AI transitions and regional industrial strategies. More than 50 large and medium-sized companies and global venture capital firms will participate in 126 business meetups with startups. KB Kookmin Bank, Korea Growth Investment Corporation, and Korea Inclusive Finance Agency will host 'Productive Finance Relay Seminars' to introduce green finance and policy fund utilization strategies. Additionally, the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation has designated September 14–20 as 'Industrial Complex Week' to encourage participation and share the value of industrial complexes with companies, workers, and the local community.

Lee Sanghoon, President of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, stated, "Industrial complexes have stood at the center of South Korea’s industrialization and economic growth, serving as spaces where companies, workers, and local communities have grown together. Through this event, we will boost workplace pride and help industrial complexes become core hubs leading the future industries of both regional areas and the nation, grounded in new growth opportunities such as exports and manufacturing AI."

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