The ASEAN-Korea Centre organized the ‘ASEAN Trade Fair’ from 9 to 11 May 2018 at Hall D, COEX. The Fair, which was held in conjunction with the Seoul International Seafood Show 2018, aimed to raise awareness of ASEAN seafood products among the seafood industry buyers and enhance the business network between ASEAN and Korean seafood companies.

This year, a total of 27 companies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam participated and displayed various seafood products during the exhibition and had more than 500 1:1 business meetings. The most popular seafood products included frozen prawns, squid, and baby squid, and other snacks and sauces that contained seafood was also popular among the visitors.

Moreover, separate booths by cooperating Trade Promotion Agencies were also set up to assist the meetings and inform buyers of importation policies and business expansion of each country.

At the Opening Ceremony on 9 May, H.E. Lee Hyuk, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, H.E. Umar Hadi, Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Thura U Thet Oo Maung, Ambassador of Myanmar, H.E. Singtong Lapisatepun, Ambassador of Royal Thai, Mr. Tranh Anh Vu, Minister Counsellor of Vietnam, and Mr. Shaharuddin Onn, Minister of Malaysia reviewed the ASEAN-Korea Centre pavilion and received briefings from each country’s representative.

The ASEAN-Korea Centre has been hosting the ASEAN Trade Fair since 2009 with the aim of narrowing the trade imbalance between the 10 AMS and Korea and facilitating the entry of ASEAN products into the Korean market. This year, the ASEAN-Korea centre plans to hold various exhibitions including the Seoul International Seafood Show (May), Korea International Furniture & Interior Fair (August-September), and Global Game Exhibition (November)by considering the actual demand and industrial base of individual ASEAN country.