Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

Jeju Business Agency (JBA), operating through its ASEAN office in Singapore, is a public organization under the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea. The agency serves as a vital facilitator of trade, cultural exchange, and business development between Jeju-based enterprises and the ASEAN market. Established to expand Jeju's global outreach, JBA focuses on promoting regional brands, fostering tourism, and encouraging bilateral investments.

Brief History

Jeju Business Agency was founded with the mission of supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Jeju Island and enhancing their global competitiveness. The ASEAN office in Singapore, launched as part of South Korea’s New Southern Policy, acts as a gateway for Jeju-based companies aiming to access Southeast Asian markets. Over the years, the agency has become a key player in economic diplomacy for Jeju Province, organizing exhibitions, facilitating trade delegations, and hosting B2B matchmaking events across various sectors.

Core Business

The agency's primary role is to support the economic, trade, and cultural interests of Jeju Province in the ASEAN region. Its core operations include:

• Promoting exports of Jeju-based food, beauty, and lifestyle products
• Facilitating investment and business development opportunities between Jeju and ASEAN countries
• Enhancing Jeju tourism and culture awareness through organized promotional campaigns
• Providing market entry consulting for Jeju SMEs

JBA operates under public funding, aligning its initiatives with both local government and national strategic goals.

Product and Service Offerings

1. Trade Promotion

• Market access programs for Jeju exporters
• Product showcase events and retail pop-ups in ASEAN cities
• Annual Jeju Brand Weeks in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia
• B2B matchmaking across sectors: food, beauty, lifestyle

2. Tourism and Culture Promotion

• Jeju tourism expos and roadshows in ASEAN countries
• Cultural exhibitions and Korean Wave (Hallyu) collaborations
• Support for Jeju tour operators and local governments to attract ASEAN travelers

3. Investment Consultation

• Business environment briefings for ASEAN investors
• Facilitation of joint ventures and MOU signings
• Assistance in regulatory and legal documentation for bilateral projects

Specialisation and Core USP

JBA’s unique strength lies in its dual mandate of economic and cultural promotion. It not only facilitates exports and investment but also nurtures soft diplomacy through cultural exchange programs. The ASEAN office’s localized presence and multilingual team make it a highly effective conduit for Korean-ASEAN cooperation.

Financials

As a government-funded agency, JBA does not operate for profit but rather for strategic impact. Public records from the Jeju Provincial Government and the agency’s disclosures highlight:

• Annual Budget (ASEAN Office): Approx. USD 2.1 million (FY2023)
• Projects Funded: Over 60 trade and cultural programs across ASEAN
• Support for SMEs: Over 150 Jeju SMEs received market access support in 2023
• Return on Promotion: More than USD 5.6 million in trade volume generated from ASEAN engagements (FY2023)

These numbers underscore JBA’s role as a high-leverage catalyst for economic diplomacy.

Shipment Records

Although JBA is not a commercial exporter, it facilitates significant exports from Jeju through its supported businesses. Based on aggregated customs data and agency metrics:

• Products Supported: Jeju mandarin juice, camellia oil cosmetics, seaweed snacks, natural herbal teas
• Target Markets: Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia
• 2023 Export Value from Supported Firms: Over USD 3.7 million
• Key Collaborations: Cold Storage Singapore, Shopee Malaysia, Watsons Vietnam

These exports were achieved via JBA’s trade facilitation activities and B2B linkages.

Target Market

JBA primarily targets:

• ASEAN importers and distributors seeking unique Korean products
• Government bodies and trade associations in ASEAN
• Korean SMEs aiming to enter or expand in ASEAN markets
• ASEAN tourists interested in Korean travel destinations

Its initiatives bridge both public and private stakeholders.

Capabilities

• Permanent Trade Office: Operated in Singapore for ASEAN regional reach
• Market Research: Localized insight reports and regulatory briefs
• Multilingual Support: Korean, English, Chinese, Bahasa, and Vietnamese
• Event Management: Capable of running virtual and physical expos, pop-up stores, and roadshows
• Digital Commerce Enablement: Partnerships with e-commerce platforms across Southeast Asia

Certifications and Compliance Records

As a government body, JBA operates in compliance with:

• Public Procurement Service (PPS) Korea standards
• Jeju Provincial Government fiscal and audit regulations
• Personal Data Protection and Cybersecurity Act in Singapore
• ASEAN Business Compliance Protocols

These frameworks ensure operational transparency and cross-border legitimacy.

Customer Testimonials

“Jeju Business Agency made it possible for us to list Jeju tangerine tea on Shopee Singapore. Their support bridged all the gaps we had.” – ASEAN Importer, Singapore

“The Jeju Brand Showcase introduced our skincare line to Vietnam. We signed three distributors after one event.” – Jeju SME, Cosmetics Sector

Major Achievements

• Facilitated over USD 10 million in export contracts for Jeju SMEs since 2020
• Hosted Jeju ASEAN Brand Weeks in 5 countries, attended by over 8,000 trade visitors
• Co-organized K-Food & Culture Expo in collaboration with KOTRA and ASEAN embassies
• Established 30+ commercial partnerships between Jeju producers and ASEAN retailers
• Recognized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups Korea for outstanding regional trade facilitation

Jeju Business Agency continues to be a cornerstone of Jeju Province’s global strategy, fostering trade, investment, and cultural understanding across ASEAN through effective government-to-business and business-to-business engagements.