Dafz and KITA sign MoU to accelerate entry of Korean companies in the UAE halal market
Dubai free zone and Korea International Trade Association agree mentorship, certification and business-matching programmes to help Korean companies enter the UAE halal market. (155 characters)
Dubai — The Halal Trade and Marketing Centre at Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ), part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) to help Korean companies in the UAE halal market.
The agreement commits both sides to deliver mentoring, market guidance and commercial matchmaking to Korean exporters seeking to enter or expand across the UAE, the Gulf and broader Middle East and Africa.
Officials say the partnership is timed to capitalise on growth in the global halal economy and to convert interest into durable trade and investment ties.
Dafz and KITA formalise partnership
The memorandum lays out cooperation on targeted programmes that will prepare Korean firms for market entry across halal sectors.
DAFZ’s Halal Trade and Marketing Centre will work with KITA to deliver tailored advisory services, joint events and introductions to regional buyers and distributors.
Under the deal, both organisations will coordinate to create institutional pathways that connect Korean exporters with certification bodies, regulatory authorities and industry associations in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Middle East and Africa.
The aim is to reduce entry barriers and fast-track commercial relationships between Korean suppliers and regional partners.
Global halal economy context
The agreement comes against a backdrop of rapid expansion in the global Islamic economy, which was valued at approximately $2.60 trillion in 2024 and is forecast to reach around $3.56 trillion by 2029.
Growth is being driven by rising demand in halal food, pharmaceutical products, modest fashion, tourism and Islamic media, creating a wider set of opportunities for international suppliers.
Dubai has positioned itself as a strategic gateway to these markets, leveraging logistics capacity, regulatory frameworks and accreditation infrastructure to support exporters.
DAFZ and KITA officials framed the MoU as a mechanism to channel Korean manufacturing and service capabilities into those high-growth halal segments.
Support services for Korean exporters
The partnership will offer specialised mentoring and guidance to member companies of KITA, focusing on market requirements, halal accreditation and compliance processes.
These services are designed to help Korean firms understand local consumer preferences, labelling and certification standards that are often prerequisites for sustained market access.
DAFZ will also facilitate business-matching initiatives to link Korean manufacturers with importers, distributors, retailers and potential institutional partners across the region.
By combining advisory support with targeted introductions, the programme seeks to translate export potential into signed contracts and pilot projects.
Market access and certification assistance
A central element of the MoU is assistance with accreditation and certification pathways that are critical to halal trade.
DAFZ officials said the centre will help Korean companies navigate certification frameworks and connect them with recognised accreditation bodies and regulatory authorities.
This facilitation is intended to shorten time-to-market and reduce the compliance overhead for new entrants, particularly in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics where approvals are technical and time-sensitive.
Simplified engagement with regulators and certifiers also increases the credibility of Korean suppliers in regional supply chains.
Official statements and strategic rationale
Amina Loutah, Director General of DAFZ, described the MoU as a step toward building commercial bridges that combine trade expertise with specialist halal knowledge.
She said the centre aims to empower Korean companies to meet market specifications, benefit from mentorship and strengthen ties with relevant stakeholders to support regional expansion.
Viljay Park, head of KITA’s operations in the Middle East and North Africa, characterised the agreement as a significant move to broaden Korean access to halal markets.
Park highlighted that coordinated matchmaking, targeted advisory support and institutional engagement would create a supportive environment for Korean firms to capitalise on the halal economy’s rapid growth.
Implications for trade and investment flows
Industry observers say the pact could accelerate the entry of Korean suppliers into Gulf and African value chains, particularly in sectors where Korean technology and manufacturing are already competitive.
The convergence of Dubai’s logistics and accreditation infrastructure with KITA’s network may lower transaction costs and increase the pace of deal-making.
For the UAE, the initiative reinforces Dubai’s role as a trading hub that connects Asian manufacturers with Middle Eastern and African demand.
For Korean exporters, the MoU offers a structured route to adapt products and services for halal certification and regional market standards.
The agreement sets a framework for joint programmes and business-matching events, with implementation details to be developed by both parties in the coming months.
As these initiatives roll out, stakeholders will watch for pilot projects and first-stage commercial partnerships that demonstrate the MoU’s practical impact on trade flows and market access.