○ Korea Ceramics Foundation confirms participation in 2025 Maison & Objet in Paris and operation of the Gyeonggi Ceramics Pavilion
– Recruitment of 20 exhibitors to be announced in March
○ Strengthening support for overseas market expansion through the new “Gyeonggi Ceramics Export Voucher Support Program”

The Korea Ceramics Foundation (KOCEF) announced on February 14 that it would participate in Maison & Objet 2025, to be held in Paris from September 4 to 8. It will also operate the Gyeonggi Ceramics Pavilion.

Maison & Objet is the world’s largest interior and design fair, held twice annually—once in January and again in September. This year, the foundation will collaborate with the cities of Icheon and Yeoju to support Gyeonggi Province ceramics companies in expanding their international markets. This year marks the third participation since 2023.

Exhibitor recruitment will be announced on the KOCEF website (kocef.org) in March, with around 20 companies expected to participate. Selected exhibitors will receive various benefits, including local stay support, exemption from transportation and round-trip overseas shipping fees (except for the import/export of works within Korea), free insurance for works during transportation, exhibition setup support, production of promotional materials such as photos and catalogs, export procedure training, and additional promotional and operational support.

Of particular note, 19 ceramics companies that joined the event last year achieved a total of 349 export consultations with international buyers through the foundation’s ongoing follow-up management, resulting in export consultations valued at approximately KRW 200 million. Currently, sample transactions and deliveries are being discussed with vendors and distributors in the Netherlands, Greece, Canada, Spain, and other countries.

KOCEF will also introduce the “Gyeonggi Ceramics Export Voucher Support Program” this year to further assist in overseas market development. This program aims to provide practical support to domestic ceramics companies by addressing key challenges in the pre-export process, such as communication with foreign buyers in their local languages, sample transportation costs for commercial transactions, issuance of trade documents, and brokerage services for carriers, as well as shipping and translation costs. Further details will be announced on the foundation’s website in March.

Choi Moon-hwan, KOCEF CEO, stated, “We are committed to enhancing the global competitiveness of Gyeonggi’s ceramics industry, increasing its recognition in international markets, and providing more international exchange and export opportunities for Gyeonggi artists. Through continued participation in prestigious overseas fairs and the launch of the Gyeonggi Ceramics Export Voucher Support Program, we will promote the excellence of Korean ceramics worldwide.”