The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA published a "2025 Six Promising Countries to Watch" report in response to the government's February inter-ministry export emergency measures, identifying export opportunities amid global trade order restructuring as the new US administration announces successive tariff policies. Six markets highlighted:
(1) India — Rapidly growing Global South leader; government's PM Gati Shakti Master Plan investing ~100 trillion rupees (~1,658 trillion won) in urban infrastructure, road connectivity, and airport construction; opportunities for construction equipment and power materials. (2) Malaysia — AI infrastructure hub with ~23 trillion won invested by Google, Amazon and others; growing AI data center ecosystem leveraging low power costs, strategic location, and government incentives. (3) Uzbekistan — Central Asian automotive hub; targeting up to 1 million vehicle production by 2030 as Russia-Ukraine war shifts automotive demand; opportunities in technology cooperation and equipment transfer. (4) UAE — Industrial diversification pursuing logistics, tourism, AI; opportunities in tourism-related urban development, renewable energy, and nuclear power. (5) Germany/Italy — Innovation partnership for supply chain diversification; automation industries expected to grow 3.51% CAGR through 2030 despite recession; positive environment for energy diversification and industrial automation. Full report and country-specific entry strategies available free at KOTRA's overseas economic information platform (dream.kotra.or.kr).
