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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government announced plans to double the number of export small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to 185,000 by 2025.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the "Advanced Export Support Plan for SMEs," jointly developed with related ministries, at the "Emergency Economic Central Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting" held on the 12th.

Amid the revitalization of SME exports during the COVID-19 pandemic, export support strategies were prepared by categorizing SMEs into startups, small merchants, and general SMEs.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups set policy goals to achieve 50,000 export startups, 50,000 export small merchants, and 50,000 online export and technology export SMEs by 2025.

Upon achieving these policy goals, the number of export SMEs is expected to increase from 94,900 last year to approximately double, reaching 185,000.

For startups, leading models will be discovered that can establish joint ventures with global companies and proceed with mass production and export of products. These startups will receive support for commercialization funds, finance, and overseas marketing.

An "Export Accelerating" program will also be operated to provide customized support through local accelerators for each new export model of startups.

At the upcoming International Funkausstellung (IFA) in Germany this September, an integrated exhibition hall focused on ventures and startups will be operated, and participating startups will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination.

In the second half of this year, through amendments to the Market Opening Support Act, a "Designation System for Promising Export Small Merchants" will be newly established, aiming to discover and select about 1,000 small merchants annually with high potential for global expansion.

Online export SMEs will be given opportunities to enter the Cheonan Smart Joint Logistics Center, which will be established next year, and support will be provided for building their own logistics centers.

A dedicated support fund of 30 billion KRW will be newly established for technology export SMEs.

Efforts will be made to expand sales channels and strengthen customized support for Brand K companies, including prioritizing Brand K products for entry into SME product-only duty-free shops such as Incheon Airport.

Minister Kwon Chil-seung of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups emphasized, "This measure aims to support SME exports, which are improving even beyond the pre-COVID-19 period, to further revitalize them. We will ensure that the measures operate smoothly in the field of export SMEs until the end."

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