What challenges do Korean SMEs face when trying to enter foreign markets?

The conference identified limited access to market information, local business partners and distribution networks as challenges for Korean SMEs seeking to enter overseas markets. GDF said it plans to work with diplomatic missions and international business networks to help businesses identify partners and access new markets.

GDF connects Korean SMEs with diplomats to boost exports

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Summary

The Global Diplomats Forum (GDF) and the Korea Strong Small Business Association held a conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on Monday to connect Korean SMEs with diplomats and explore ways to expand overseas. Representatives from eight countries presented information on their markets, investment opportunities and key industries. The event addressed barriers including limited access to market information, local business partners and distribution networks. GDF founder and president Zena Chung said the organization would continue building partnerships to create a practical export platform for Korean SMEs.

Key Facts

The eight countries represented were Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and the Philippines.
About 30 diplomatic representatives attended the conference.
The participating ambassadors included Chafik Rachadi of Morocco, Jamal Abdullah Al Suwaidi of the UAE, Emilia Gatto of Italy, Fernando Pimentel of Brazil, Georg Schmidt of Germany, Dato’ Mohd Zamruni Khalid of Malaysia, Alisher Abdusalomov of Uzbekistan and Bernadette Therese Fernandez of the Philippines.
Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan and former Foreign Minister Park Jin sent congratulatory messages.
GDF plans to expand cooperation with diplomatic missions and international business networks to help Korean SMEs find overseas partners, access new markets and explore investment opportunities.

By Nam Hyun-woo

Published Oct 21, 2026 11:51 am KST

The Global Diplomats Forum (GDF) brought together diplomatic representatives from eight countries and Korean businesses at the National Assembly in Seoul on Monday to explore ways to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand overseas.

The conference was co-hosted by GDF and the Korea Strong Small Business Association (KSSBA).

Diplomatic representatives from Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and the Philippines presented their countries’ market conditions, investment opportunities and key industries.

The participating ambassadors included Chafik Rachadi of Morocco, Jamal Abdullah Al Suwaidi of the UAE, Emilia Gatto of Italy, Fernando Pimentel of Brazil, Georg Schmidt of Germany, Dato’ Mohd Zamruni Khalid of Malaysia, Alisher Abdusalomov of Uzbekistan and Bernadette Therese Fernandez of the Philippines. About 30 diplomatic representatives attended.

The conference aimed to address challenges facing Korean SMEs seeking to enter foreign markets, including limited access to market information, local business partners and distribution networks.

The event also featured congratulatory messages from former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan and former Foreign Minister Park Jin.

Zena Chung, founder and president of GDF, said the organization would continue building partnerships between Korean businesses and foreign diplomatic missions.

“Our goal is to build a practical export platform that connects the competitiveness of Korean SMEs directly with global markets,” she said.

GDF plans to expand cooperation with diplomatic missions and international business networks to help Korean SMEs identify overseas partners, access new markets and explore investment opportunities.

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