Indonesia’s Participation in ASEAN Panorama Generates Potential Transaction

RRI.CO.ID, Seoul - Indonesian fashion products made by small and medium-sized enterprises are gaining attention in South Korea. By the end of May 2026, Indonesia’s participation in ASEAN Panorama 2026 had generated potential transactions worth USD1.95 million, or around Rp33.15 billion.

The exhibition runs from May to September 2026 at Seoul ASEAN Hall, Korea Press Centre, Seoul. The figure reflects the growing interest of South Korean consumers in Indonesian fashion products known for their quality, distinctive designs, and cultural value.

Indonesia’s Trade Attaché in Seoul, Roesfitawati, said South Korea remains a promising market for Indonesian products, particularly those made by SMEs. “Through our collaboration with the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC), we continue to connect Indonesian SMEs with potential importers and buyers through various promotional activities and business matching programs. Going forward, we will continue expanding market access so that more Indonesian SMEs can enter the South Korean market,” Roesfitawati said as quoted by official statement on Thursday, July 3, 2026.

ASEAN Panorama 2026 is an annual trade promotion program organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre. Beyond the product exhibition, the program includes business matching sessions, export seminars, and visits to companies and business hubs, bringing ASEAN businesses together with potential trade partners in South Korea. Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam were selected as the opening countries for this year’s exhibition in May.

Indonesia brought 10 SMEs that had passed a selection process by the Ministry of Trade’s Directorate General of National Export Development. They included PT Alfazza Kayo Hanania, Bali Glams, CV Gammara Jaya Mondial, PT Haidee Orlin Indonesia, Ikids Id, PT Porto Indonesia Sejahtera, CV Rumah Jeddiah, Shiroshima Indonesia, Tirta Arta Persada, and Zante.

The participants showcased a range of fashion and lifestyle products, including apparel, bags, footwear, and accessories, all highlighting Indonesia’s creativity, craftsmanship, and rich cultural heritage. They also joined financing and market development seminars, business matching sessions with importers such as Jeongjin B2B, K-Networks, and Musinsa, as well as visits to Natural Week 2026 and Samsung C&T Fashion Group.

Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Cecep Herawan said ASEAN Panorama 2026 serves as a concrete platform to strengthen economic ties between ASEAN and South Korea. He added that the event is also in line with efforts to deepen Indonesia–South Korea relations following President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to South Korea in March 2026.

“ASEAN Panorama 2026 not only opens market access opportunities for Indonesian products, but also strengthens Indonesia’s soft power and position in South Korea. In addition, the event helps reinforce ASEAN solidarity by bringing all member states together on one shared promotional platform,” Cecep said.

IKIDS founder Melati Nurani Nayu said the event had opened export opportunities while giving her company a better understanding of South Korean market trends and consumer preferences. “We were also able to expand our network with distributors and gain insights into developments in South Korea’s fashion industry through our visit to Samsung C&T Fashion Group,” Melati said.

Meanwhile, Musinsa Marketing Manager, Nara Kim, said Indonesian fashion products have strong character and appealing differentiation because they incorporate craftsmanship and cultural elements. She said their handmade concept, limited production volumes, and the story behind each product are key strengths, though Indonesian businesses still need to meet product safety standards and ensure sustainable sourcing to become more competitive in South Korea.

From January to May 2026, total trade between Indonesia and South Korea reached USD7.61 billion. Indonesia’s exports to South Korea stood at USD4.05 billion, while imports reached USD3.56 billion. In 2025, total bilateral trade amounted to USD18.04 billion, with Indonesian exports at USD10.14 billion and imports at USD7.90 billion.

Indonesia’s key non-oil and gas exports to South Korea included coal, lithium-ion products, copper ores and concentrates, and acid oils from refining, while major imports included electronic storage devices, integrated circuit components, electronic processors, ferro-molybdenum, and cosmetics.