Support for Export Regulation Response and Online Export SMEs Logistics to Overcome Middle East Crisis

Approximately 12.2 Billion Won in Supplementary Budget Allocated

On April 22, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will allocate an additional supplementary budget of 12.2 billion won to implement support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) experiencing difficulties due to the Middle East war. These programs include the “Overseas Export Regulation Response Support Program,” which helps companies seeking to enter new markets quickly obtain the certifications required by export destination countries amid the ongoing conflict, and the “Online Export SMEs Logistics Support Program,” which aims to address logistics challenges faced by online export SMEs.

First, the Overseas Export Regulation Response Support Program will provide subsidies covering 50% to 70% of the costs for testing, certification, and consulting required for obtaining standard certifications in export destination countries, up to a maximum of 100 million won per company. Notably, in this supplementary budget, the support limit for small-scale certifications provided without restrictions on the number of applications will be temporarily raised from 35 million won to 50 million won.

Support will also be provided in cases where verification of normal product operation is required locally, such as for climate, communication, or environmental factors, in relation to obtaining overseas standard certifications. Up to 50 million won will be provided for costs directly incurred in product demonstrations required by overseas buyers, in order to help ensure stable local establishment of export products. In addition, for SMEs seeking to diversify their exports in light of the Middle East war, an Overseas Export Regulation Response Task Force will offer expert consultations on strategies for exploring new export markets, as well as provide related education and briefing sessions. The ministry also plans to produce and distribute a certification guidebook based on identified demand for entry into alternative markets.

To support logistics for online export companies, up to 70% of the costs incurred when companies use private logistics providers for the entire logistics process (fulfillment), including storage, packaging, shipment, delivery, and returns, will be subsidized, within a limit of 35 million won. In addition, when Korean SMEs store products at the overseas logistics centers of Busan Port Authority (BPA) or receive logistics-related services such as delivery from these centers, a portion of the related costs will also be supported. Furthermore, logistics and customs education and one-on-one expert consulting will be provided for companies affected by the Middle East war and others in need.

The Overseas Standard Certification Support Program will be available from April 23 via the Overseas Standard Certification Support Center website, while the Online Export SMEs Logistics Support Program will begin on April 24 through the BizKorea website. Lim Dongwoo, Director of the Global Growth Policy Division at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, “Following the U.S. tariff measures last year and now the recent Middle East war, our SMEs are facing extremely challenging circumstances in many ways.” He added, “We hope this support will help affected SMEs overcome these difficult times, and we plan to expand related support measures in the future.”

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