As uncertainty from the Middle East conflict continues, the Korean government has expanded support measures to minimize damage to exporters and stabilize supply chains.
KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) announced Wednesday it will launch an all-out response including emergency voucher issuance and local logistics support, utilizing the 1.098 trillion won supplementary budget for the war recently finalized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The agency will first invest 25.5 billion won to recruit additional companies for its emergency support voucher program. Given the high competition rate of 5-to-1 during the March recruitment period, KOTRA plans to more than triple the support scale to assist approximately 500 companies. Eligible countries have been expanded from 14 to 22, while the international shipping cost support limit has been temporarily raised from 60 million won to 75 million won.
Support for resolving logistics backlogs will also be strengthened. KOTRA will expand storage and inland transportation support through its overseas joint logistics centers, which operate in partnership with local logistics firms. The support amount will double from 12 million won to 24 million won, benefiting approximately 380 companies, with a fast-track review process completing assessments within three days of application.
Recruitment is also underway since the 13th for the emergency Middle East support trade mission program, targeting companies whose business trips have been blocked or face difficulties negotiating with buyers due to the Middle East situation. Companies with export records to the Middle East from 2025 to February will receive assistance with local buyer meetings, client management, and new buyer development in regions outside the Middle East. Participation fees have been reduced to 10-30 percent of the original level, and the selection process has been simplified.
For on-site support, 13 KOTRA trade offices in the Middle East region provide daily updates on conditions at 24 ports near Gulf states and information on alternative routes. This measure reflects the fact that logistics-related inquiries accounted for 146 of the 435 difficulties reported to KOTRA's consultation desk—the highest category. Trade offices provide close support for local operations that companies find difficult to handle directly, including bid document submission, buyer communication support, and contract condition coordination. Quotes, consultations, and discount services for the Middle East region are also available through KOTRA's export logistics collaboration network, which includes Samsung SDS, DHL, and Taewoong Logistics.
Support for materials, parts, and equipment companies will also be implemented to stabilize supply chains. The agency will provide support for increased naphtha import prices, raise country-specific support limits for urea, and promote import source diversification through its global network.
"With Middle East conflict uncertainty persisting, an all-out response is urgently needed to resolve difficulties for exporters and support supply chain stabilization," KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung said. "We will proceed swiftly and thoroughly to ensure the supplementary budget programs actually help companies, and given the emergency situation, we will do our best to provide flexible on-site support through our domestic and overseas networks and to identify alternative supply chain sources."
