SME Sector Urges "Lead SMEs with Industrial Policies Reflecting Field Opinions"

Korea Federation of SMEs Invites Minister Moon Seung-wook of Industry Department... Holds On-site Meeting with SMEs
Proposes 22 Current Issues..."Need to Expand 'Top 100 Enterprises Project'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Junhyung Lee] The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KSMB) announced on the 9th that it held the 'On-site Meeting with Minister Moon Seung-wook of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy' at the KSMB headquarters located in Yeouido, Seoul. At the meeting, about 10 representatives from various industries including mold manufacturing and mining attended and proposed 22 pending issues.

The small and medium business sector emphasized that "the government's policies must reflect the field opinions of small and medium enterprises." The representatives requested ▲activation of consultations to promote the root industry ▲promotion of a win-win ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) culture between large and small-medium enterprises ▲increased interest from SMEs when selecting top-tier companies in materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) ▲expansion of permitted industries for industrial complex special zones.

There was also a request to increase support for relatively labor-intensive and low value-added industries and to ease regulations on hazardous industries. Regarding this, businesspeople proposed ▲establishment of the Ansan Textile Fashion Cluster Center ▲expansion of technical and financial support for SME mining ▲improvement of reporting standards for liquefied oxygen among specific high-pressure gases.

Kim Ki-moon, chairman of KSMB, stated, "To strengthen the competitiveness of the SoBuJang industry, it is necessary to expand the 'Top 100 Companies Project,'" and added, "We hope for attention to the full expansion of permitted industries in special zones to revitalize aging industrial complexes linked to the Green New Deal."

Minister Moon said, "The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is fully prepared to support SMEs so they can prepare for the future, including digital transformation and ESG management," and added, "Based on today's policy proposals, we will work closely with SMEs to steadfastly support our economy."

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