Brunei F&B businesses invited to ASEAN Trade Fair in South Korea

Businesses will be sponsored for accommodation, product shipment and booth registration

File photo from SFH from their 2019 edition.

Brunei businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) sector are invited to apply for the ASEAN Trade Fair which will take place within the Seoul Food & Hotel (SFH) 2022 expo at the Korea International Exhibition Centre (KINTEX) from June 7 to 10.

Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) will be facilitating applications and selecting vendors for the ASEAN Trade Fair on behalf of the organiser ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC).

Five companies are being targeted from each ASEAN member state, with AKC covering seven nights’ accommodation, product shipment for up to 80 kilogrammes, and booth registration fees.

Participants will have the option of attending the event in-person or virtually while still having their products shipped and exhibited, with DARe and AKC appointing representatives to man the booths.

The ASEAN Trade Fair will take place within the SFH’s International Pavilion – which is cumulatively expected to showcase businesses from over 60 countries.

The AKC is organising the event as part of its wider efforts to help ASEAN micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) internationalise.

In its concept note, AKC said it selected SFH to host the ASEAN Trade Fair as F&B is one of the most impacted sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the “greatest opportunity for change and growth from easy-to-cook food (products) to e-commerce”.

Aside from engaging with visitors at their booths, AKC will also facilitate one-on-one physical or virtual meetings for participants with potential business partners.

SFH is now in its 40th edition and is the fourth largest F&B industry exhibition in Asia; featuring over 1,500 exhibitors spread over 76,121 square meters.

Businesses with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) will be prioritised in the selection process. In lieu of these certifications, DARe will also consider businesses that have other food safety accreditations as well as halal certification.

DARe is advising applicants to read the event’s concept note to learn more about the guidelines and proposed activities.

To apply for the ASEAN Trade Fair, businesses will need to fill in and email three forms: the exhibitor registration form, price sheet of exhibit items, and ingredient list of exhibited items.

These forms can be downloaded through DARe’s website and must be emailed to international@dare.gov.bn by April 19. Inquiries can be directed to the same email or +6732384830 extension 234.