The Jeonbuk Small Business Support Center is organizing a promotional fair in Hong Kong from October 17 to 18 at the APITA Department Store, featuring approximately 27 small and medium-sized enterprises from South Korea’s Jeonbuk province. This event marks a strategic move for these businesses, which have historically concentrated on domestic sales, to enter international markets. Products on display include food, household items, and beauty goods manufactured in Jeonbuk, aimed at introducing regional specialties to Hong Kong consumers.
Market Entry Strategy and Localization Efforts
The fair functions as a test-marketing initiative to collect direct feedback from Hong Kong shoppers, which will inform product localization and branding adjustments planned for next year. According to the Center, the focus is on building a sustainable foundation for long-term international growth rather than achieving immediate export gains. This approach aligns with efforts by regional support entities in China and Asia to foster small business expansion through consumer insights and adaptive strategies.
Partnerships for Export Expansion
During the event, the Jeonbuk Small Business Support Center will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Hong Kong Chapter of the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations. This collaboration aims to boost exports of Jeonbuk products in Hong Kong and other Asian markets by coordinating joint marketing campaigns, distribution partnerships, and buyer-matching programs. Such alliances are common in China’s trade ecosystem, where cross-border cooperation enhances market access for foreign SMEs.
Future Initiatives and Regional Support
Building on the Hong Kong fair, the Center’s Overseas Market Entry Project will expand in phases, with 2024 plans including product renewals based on consumer feedback, joint branding efforts, and online export platform operations. The Jeonbuk Small Business Support Center, which focuses on firms with fewer than ten employees, leverages partnerships with industry, academia, and government to promote technology exchange and cluster development, strengthening the competitiveness of local businesses in global trade contexts influenced by China’s economic policies.
