The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has launched special support for exporters hit by the war in the Middle East, including arranging visits to Korea by 56 buyers from the region.
KOTRA operated a "Special Support Zone for Middle East Exports" at the 2026 Export Boom-Up Korea event held on the 22nd at KINTEX in Ilsan. The zone was set up in each of five industry pavilions covering artificial intelligence convergence, bio-health, consumer goods and services, defense, and energy infrastructure.
The agency brought in 56 buyers from 11 Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Oman, and supported business-to-business meetings with Korean small and mid-sized companies. Defense firms accounted for the largest share at 17 companies, followed by consumer goods and services with 15 and bio-health with 11.
A briefing on export logistics and corporate response strategies for the Middle East crisis was also held for exporters facing shipping disruptions. As global carriers turned to alternative routes and vessel space ran short, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index surged 175% to 3,662.3 on Sept. 30 from 1,333.11 on Feb. 27, just before the war began. Air freight costs are also climbing sharply, partly because of the closure of Saudi airspace.
At the briefing, Kim Ji-yoon, a specialist in international politics, spoke on shifts in the global landscape and the world economy, outlining paths forward for Korean exporters facing geopolitical risk. Samsung SDS (018260.KS) presented logistics strategies for responding to global supply chain risks, while Shopee Korea introduced ways to use cross-border platforms and improve fulfillment efficiency.
KOTRA also ran an "Export Logistics Consulting Zone" with major logistics providers including DHL Korea and Samsung SDS, offering one-on-one consultations to participating companies. Through an export logistics cooperation network previously built with those companies and Korea Post, the agency has provided discounts on express delivery rates, freight quotes and expert advice.
"Our companies continue to face difficulties such as logistics disruptions as the Middle East conflict drags on, but given the strong recognition of Korean firms there and demand for market entry, trade could recover quickly once the war ends," KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung said. "We will ease immediate export difficulties by expanding overseas shared logistics centers and providing local information, and will also respond to the recovery of the Middle East market and the development of alternative markets."