Global Growth Forecasts Lowered,  But Korea’s Economic Outlook Upgraded on Stimulus Prospects.

Overseas Companies View “SIMTOS 2026” as a Strategic Gateway to the Korean Market.

Global economic growth has slowed sharply due to sluggish growth in key countries, escalating trade barriers, and increasing uncertainty. In this challenging environment, however, global investment banks have revised their forecasts for Korea’s economic growth upward.

This development stands in contrast to the World Bank’s “Global Economic Prospects 2025” report, which downgraded global growth by 0.4% citing escalating trade tensions and financial market uncertainty and as a result fuels expectations for a recovery in the Korean market.

On May 16, Goldman Sachs released a report titled “Korea, time for upside is now,” raising Korea’s growth forecast. This revision was driven by growing optimism surrounding the easing of uncertainties related to U.S. tariff policies and the new Korean government’s plan to implement a second supplementary budget as a stimulus measure. Morgan Stanley and Barclays followed suit, adjusting their growth projections for Korea upward in a similar vein.

The upward revision in Korea’s real GDP growth outlook is primarily attributed to expectations of robust fiscal stimulus measures by the new government, coupled with easing external factors. The Korean government, inaugurated on June 4, is expected to propose a second supplementary budget totaling at least KRW 20 trillion to stimulate the economy. Combined with the first supplementary budget approved on May 1, the total fiscal injections for economic revitalization will amount to KRW 34.8 trillion.

Emphasizing that “businesses are the driving force behind economic recovery,” President Lee Jae-myung plans to pursue a private sector-led growth strategy Central to this approach are measures such as fiscal expansion and regulatory relaxation. By nurturing cutting-edge industries including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and next-generation manufacturing, he aims to inject new vitality into the domestic market.

This policy direction is revitalizing Korea’s domestic consumption and improving the flexibility of its manufacturing ecosystem. This creates new opportunities for both local manufacturers and foreign companies seeking to enter the Korean market. Given the anticipated surge in demand for advanced technologies like automated production processes, technological innovation, high value-added manufacturing, digital manufacturing solutions, and AI-powered process management, “SIMTOS” is gaining recognition as a strategic hub for overseas companies targeting the Korean market.

As Korea’s largest exhibition dedicated to production and manufacturing technologies, SIMTOS serves as a test bed for foreign companies seeking entry into the Korean market and a gateway to broader expansion across Asia. SIMTOS 2026 will be held at KINTEX 1 and 2 for five days, from April 13 to 17, 2026, and will showcase five specialized pavilions alongside a special robotics and digital manufacturing exhibition known as M.A.D.E. in SIMTOS.

Interest from international manufacturing enterprises in SIMTOS 2026 has surged noticeably compared to previous years. According to the SIMTOS Secretariat, leading global manufacturers confirmed their participation by the early registration deadline of May 31.

Domestic companies such as DN Solution, SMEC, HK, Hyundai Wia, and Hwacheon are among the main participants, while global metalworking and automation solution providers including Bystronic, Amada, Yamazaki Mazak, TRUMPF, and FANUC have also swiftly confirmed their participation. In addition to the usual national pavilions from countries like Germany, Italy, China, and Taiwan, new participants Japan and India have joined, broadening opportunities for their companies to expand into the Korean market.

An official from the SIMTOS Secretariat commented, “The 2026 edition of SIMTOS will feature key product categories such as cutting and machining equipment, industrial robots, measurement devices, and components and materials, while also highlighting companies specializing in advanced digital manufacturing technologies, including smart processes and AI-based quality control. Given the unprecedented pace of registrations, we strongly advise interested companies to complete their applications promptly to ensure participation.”