SMEs, Startups Promote Exports Worth US$70 Mil.
Incheon Port Authority (IPA) cohosted “2019 Korea Brand Expo” with Lotte Home Shopping in Los Angeles, the United States on Dec. 3-4 to encourage Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to advance overseas.
A total of 73 SMEs and startups participated in the expo and held talks with buyers on exports of their goods and services worth US$70 million.
The two-day event, which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in L.A., was designed to provide overseas business opportunities to SMEs and startups. IPA has arranged the event since 2018 in partnership with Lotte Home Shopping.
This year’s expo was held at one of the largest consumer markets and home of startups. The participants included 41 Korean SMEs and 32 startups, including manufacturers of superior daily goods and K-beauty companies. They held business talks with local buyers on a one-on-one basis. The event was a good opportunity to learn how to launch and localize their products.
From Incheon, seven cosmetics and outdoor goods companies including INE Cosmetics and Picnic Partners any took part in the fair. IPA attended a B2B export promotion session to publicize the Incheon Port. It also helped partner companies install booths and matched them with foreign buyers. Besides, it set up a logistics support system and transported the products for exhibitions.
Among other participants, Picnic Partners, an Incheon-based camping gear company, introduced its unique tents which were easy to install and connect with a light hammock. The product attracted attention from visitors.
In addition to export negotiations, a series of events were also organized to spread the Korean culture and let foreigners experience it firsthand. For example, So-you, who is a Korean singer and the PR ambassador of the Korea Brand Expo in LA, had a signing event. Makeup artists demonstrated Korean beauty routines.