KOTRA to Help 300 Domestic-Market-Focused and Export-Novice Companies Make Their "First Export"

"2026 First Steps in Export Week"
Tailored Support Systematized by Export Experience Level

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has launched a full-scale, tailored support program to help 300 domestic-market-focused and export novice companies expand overseas and build a sustainable export base.

KOTRA announced on October 27 that it had launched the “2026 First Steps in Export Week,” which supports small and medium-sized enterprises in developing overseas sales channels, along with tailored export support programs reflecting each company’s export challenges and target markets. The initiative focuses on identifying and resolving practical difficulties companies face while preparing to export and maximizing their export results.

Before the program began, KOTRA surveyed companies that applied last month and developed tailored support strategies based on their export capabilities. The survey found that domestic-market-focused companies with no export experience most frequently reported basic operational difficulties, such as customs clearance procedures and obtaining overseas standards certifications, at 23.6%. Among export novice companies, demand for support in finding overseas buyers and conducting marketing and sales promotions exceeded 30%, indicating that their support needs differ by stage.

In response, KOTRA held an online information session on October 14 and worked with relevant organizations to provide solutions for different areas. Seoul Main Customs offered ways to address difficulties with basic export operations, including customs clearance, while the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) explained the procedures for obtaining overseas standards certifications and the available support programs. For export novice companies, KOTRA introduced ways to find overseas buyers and develop sales channels using its “Export 24” service.

The participants’ top three target markets were the United States, Japan, and Vietnam, in that order. Focusing on these three strategic markets, KOTRA is identifying overseas buyers and arranging one-on-one online export consultations with 300 participating companies over three weeks, from October 26 to November 13.

KOTRA has also established a systematic follow-up process to help consultations lead to actual contracts. Companies that sign export contracts through online consultations will be connected with support for local logistics costs through KOTRA’s overseas joint logistics centers.

“In small regional businesses, the head of the company often personally handles multiple responsibilities, including human resources, materials, logistics, and sales, making it difficult to secure the time and staff needed to enter overseas markets,” said Kang Kyungsung, president of KOTRA. “We will ease the burden on companies and work alongside them from export preparation and finding overseas buyers to securing their first deal, helping them achieve export results.”

KOTRA headquarters. KOTRA

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