Ministry of SMEs and Startups Gathers On-Site Opinions to Promote Online Exports by SMEs

Reflecting Diverse Perspectives
"Plan to Promote Online Exports by SMEs" to Be Announced Soon

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on September 24 that it held a roundtable discussion with relevant companies on the topic of online exports by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This roundtable was organized to allow SMEs in the beauty, fashion, food, and lifestyle sectors-fields that are enjoying sensational global popularity-and global platforms and logistics companies such as Amazon, Shopee Korea, and Olive Young, which support these companies' overseas expansion, to share the difficulties they face in the online export process and communicate their requests to policymakers. The event also aimed to discuss policy alternatives to further promote online exports by SMEs.

During the roundtable, participants exchanged various opinions on the need to globalize domestic platforms, which form the foundation of online exports; ways to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with existing global platforms; and the discovery of promising export items and comprehensive support measures for them. There was also discussion on solutions to ease logistics burdens, which the majority of exporting companies cited as their biggest challenge.

Some companies expressed concern that the recent abolition of the U.S. de minimis exemption system will significantly impact SMEs engaged in online exports. They emphasized the need for the government to establish practical support measures, such as expanding support for platform entry, marketing, and logistics costs.

Minister Han Seong-sook, who presided over the roundtable, stated, "The online market is an important barometer that allows us to quickly and accurately identify the latest trends. In particular, since entry barriers and risks are not high, it is a very useful means for SMEs seeking new markets or customers to expand overseas." She added, "Going forward, we will establish and implement comprehensive support measures across various areas so that our SMEs can expand the territory of the K-economy through online channels."

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to soon prepare and announce a "Plan to Promote Online Exports by SMEs," reflecting the opinions shared at this roundtable.

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