Meeting between Korea Federation of SMEs and Minister Byeon Chang-heum of MOLIT: "Please Increase Purchases of SME Products"

Minister Byeon Chang-heum of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Korea Federation of SMEs held a luncheon meeting with Byun Chang-hoom, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, on the 9th to request support for market access and resolution of difficulties faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Attending the meeting were Minister Byun Chang-hoom and Construction Policy Bureau Chief Kwon Hyuk-jin from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as well as Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, and Seo Seung-won, Executive Vice Chairman.

The meeting involved various discussions focusing on key issues such as market access support, industrial promotion, resolution of industry difficulties, and support for small business owners affected by COVID-19.

In the area of market access support, the Korea Federation of SMEs requested ▲an increase in the purchase ratio of SME products through public procurement by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and its affiliated organizations ▲an expansion of the scale of negotiated contracts recommended by cooperatives.

Regarding industrial promotion, they proposed active cooperation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as they plan to request the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to ease restrictions on industries prohibited from entering industrial complexes when applying for the industry-specific special zones (negative zones) starting next month.

Kim Ki-moon, President of the Korea Federation of SMEs
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In the area of industry difficulties, they requested ▲relief from the burden of training hours for maintenance supervisors ▲an increase in maintenance service fees in the automobile repair sector, which consists of many small-scale SMEs.

For support related to small business owners affected by COVID-19, they proposed additional reductions in riverbed occupancy fees and road occupancy fees.

Other suggestions from the SME sector that were not discussed on-site will be submitted in writing and responses will be received later, the Korea Federation of SMEs stated.

Chairman Kim Ki-moon said, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s work on land, housing, and construction is a key factor that determines the national economy and quality of life. It is important for the public and private sectors to cooperate with a shared purpose," adding, "I hope a luncheon meeting inviting SME representatives will be arranged soon to facilitate direct communication with business leaders."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.