South Chungcheong Province Signs $8.15 Million Export MOUs in Indonesia

Kim Tae-heum Promotes the Excellence of South Chungcheong Products
Achieves $8.15 Million in Export MOUs at Jakarta Consultation Meeting
Governor Kim Leads On-Site Sales Diplomacy, Boosts Overseas Market Entry

Kim Tae-heum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, achieved the signing of export memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth a total of $8.15 million in Indonesia, the largest consumer market in Southeast Asia.

On May 27, South Chungcheong Province announced that it had held the "South Chungcheong Overseas Market Development Export Consultation Meeting" at the Sheraton Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Governor Kim personally attended the event, visiting the consultation sites with buyers to promote the excellence of products from South Chungcheong companies, and played a leading role in boosting export potential.

A total of 26 companies participated in the consultation meeting, including 14 food companies specializing in products such as gim (dried seaweed), kimchi, tteokbokki sauce, and seaweed noodles, as well as 12 consumer and industrial goods companies offering products such as industrial portable air conditioners, dishwashers, and eco-friendly crop protection agents.

Locally, 78 buyers?including Foodhall Indonesia and Mugunghwa Distribution?attended and showed great interest. Through a total of 220 consultations, export negotiations amounting to $26.23 million were conducted.

Among these, 18 export MOUs worth a total of $8.15 million were signed. Boryeong Fisheries alone succeeded in concluding an MOU worth $1 million.

During the consultation meeting, Governor Kim actively promoted the products to buyers, stating, "Products from South Chungcheong are recognized in global markets, including Europe."

He also encouraged some buyers directly by saying, "Don't just consult?finalize the contracts today," demonstrating proactive sales diplomacy.

Additionally, he communicated individually with participating business representatives, checked buyer responses and local market conditions, and emphasized, "To pioneer overseas markets, you need to see the field to find the right direction," urging continued efforts toward overseas expansion.

Governor Kim also instructed the province's Indonesia office to provide active support for expanding sales channels for local companies.

This achievement was made despite Indonesia's strict halal certification and BPOM (Food and Drug Authority) certification, which are non-tariff barriers. Governor Kim Tae-heum's field-oriented leadership has been particularly noted as a key factor.

Meanwhile, Indonesia, with a population of 280 million and a strong preference for Korean culture, ranked first in favorability toward Korean cultural content in a survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Based on this consultation meeting, the province plans to continue expanding exports of K-products to Southeast Asian markets, including Indonesia.