Gangwon Province is moving to deepen economic ties with Abu Dhabi and Dubai, positioning local exporters to supply cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and auto parts to the UAE market tariff-free.
Gangwon Province and the Korea International Trade Association's Gangwon regional office will hold a briefing and consultation session June 30 at the Gangwon Economic Promotion Agency, targeting local export companies. The event is designed to help businesses take advantage of the Korea-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in May.
The session was organized to expand opportunities for Gangwon companies to enter the UAE and broader Middle East market — including Abu Dhabi and Dubai — and to prepare proactively for potential shifts in regional dynamics following a recent ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
The Korea-UAE CEPA is South Korea's first free trade agreement with an Arab Middle Eastern country and is expected to serve as a gateway for Korean businesses into the Middle East and North Africa.
Tariffs on Gangwon's key and promising export items — particularly cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and auto parts — will be phased out under the agreement, significantly improving the price competitiveness of local companies in the UAE market. Companies wishing to attend may register by June 26 through the KITA Gangwon regional office or the Gangwon Export Companies Support website.
Gangwon Province plans to use the briefing to gauge local companies' interest in entering the Middle East market and will follow up by linking participants to existing export support programs, including overseas trade consultations, marketing assistance, and logistics, certification and insurance services.
"We will support local companies in leveraging the Korea-UAE CEPA to secure price competitiveness and establish a stable foothold in the MENA — Middle East and North Africa — and European markets, using the UAE as a hub," said Kim Man-ho, director general of economic affairs at Gangwon Province.
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