APEC CEO Summit × Boom Up Korea 2025: Innovative Korea Showcase (IKS)
Boom Up Korea 2025 operates the Innovative Korea Showcase (IKS: Innovative Korea Showcase) in conjunction with the APEC CEO Summit (Gyeongju) held in November 2025. It is a premium export showcase that introduces Korea's six key advanced industries — AI, semiconductors, bio, robotics, future mobility, and energy — directly to CEOs and global buyers from the 21 APEC member economies.
The APEC CEO Summit is a private-sector economic forum held alongside the APEC leaders' meeting, attended by top executives and procurement decision-makers from major companies in each economy. Korea's hosting of APEC in 2025 is a special opportunity for Korean export companies. Boom Up Korea Week 2025 consists of 10+ linked exhibitions, with IKS being the most premium program among them.
APEC CEO Summit 2025: The Significance of Korea as Host
APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) comprises 21 member economies (countries + Hong Kong and Taiwan), accounting for approximately 60% of global GDP and about 50% of world trade. Korea's hosting of APEC in 2025 is an unprecedented business opportunity for Korean companies to engage directly with CEOs from APEC member economies. The APEC CEO Summit brings together private sector leaders ahead of the summit, enabling direct meetings with CEOs who hold actual purchasing authority.
| Region | Major Members | 2024 Korean Exports | Advanced Industry Linkage |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Asia | China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong | $210B+ | Semiconductors and electronics core |
| Southeast Asia | 6 ASEAN members (Vietnam, Philippines, etc.) | $70B+ | AI and smart factories |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand | $13B | Bio and energy |
| North America | US, Canada, Mexico | $120B+ | EV and semiconductors |
| South America | Chile, Peru | $5B | Resource technology cooperation |
| Bangladesh* | Non-APEC (KOTRA invite) | $1.6B | IoT, smart factories, medical devices |
IKS 6 Exhibition Sectors in Detail
| Sector | Core Technologies Exhibited | Korean Representative Firms | Bangladesh Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI & Big Data | Generative AI, industrial AI, cloud | Korea SDS, Kakao, NAVER | RMG smart factory AI |
| Semiconductors & Electronics | HBM, foundry, OLED displays | Korea Electronics, Korea Hynix | Expanded electronics parts imports |
| Bio & Healthcare | New drugs, medical devices, digital healthcare | Celltrion, BioTech Korea, Yuhan | Hospital medical device exports |
| Robotics & Automation | Industrial robots, service robots, cobots | Korea Motors Robotics, Rainbow, Korea Doosan Robotics | Garment sewing automation |
| Future Mobility | EV, autonomous driving, UAM, hydrogen vehicles | Korea Motors, KIA EV | EV charging infrastructure cooperation |
| Energy | Solar, ESS, hydrogen, smart grid | Korea Solutions, Korea Energy Solution | Solar expansion demand |
IKS CEO Networking Program
Bangladesh Linkage Strategy: IKS Technology Export Potential to Bangladesh
| Sector | Core Demand | Matching IKS Sector | Consultation Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| RMG Factory Automation | Sewing robots, smart MES, quality vision AI | Robotics/AI | In-person (visiting recommended) |
| Medical Institutions/Pharma | Diagnostic equipment, surgical robots, API | Bio/Healthcare | In-person |
| ICT Companies | Cloud, cybersecurity, fintech solutions | AI/Big Data | Video + In-person |
| Energy Companies | Solar modules, ESS, smart meters | Energy | In-person |
| Logistics/Distribution | AI logistics solutions, scanners, RFID | AI/Electronics | Video |
| Construction/Infrastructure | BIM software, smart city technology | AI/Energy | Video |
Application and Preparation Guide
IKS linked with the APEC CEO Summit offers Korean advanced industry companies the highest level of global networking opportunity to date. Take full advantage of Korea's special position as the 2025 APEC host to meet directly with CEOs from all 21 APEC member economies and lay the foundation for export expansion. For advanced companies targeting South Asian market expansion including Bangladesh, leveraging IKS as a strategic market-entry platform is strongly recommended. KOTRA Dhaka actively supports Bangladeshi buyer invitations and follow-up consultation connections.