SMEs Ministry: "We Will Closely Monitor Packaging Container Supply with Relevant Ministries"

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on April 21 that it held its third roundtable meeting with the National Cafe Owners Cooperative, which represents the cafe industry, to assess the impact of the recent expansion of the Middle East war on small business owners and to listen to their management challenges.

This roundtable was organized for cafe small business owners who are experiencing similar on-site challenges, such as the sharp rise in prices of plastic packaging containers and supply difficulties, which were raised during last week's meeting with the restaurant industry. In addition, the meeting was held directly at business sites to listen to and better understand the difficulties faced by owners.

At the meeting, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the National Cafe Owners Cooperative shared information about the operating conditions of small business owners affected by the Middle East war, including price increases and supply status of plastic cups and vinyl used in cafes, and discussed possible support measures.

Byungkwon Lee, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, is delivering opening remarks at the '3rd On-site Meeting on Challenges Faced by Small Business Owners Related to the Middle East War (Cafe Industry),' held on the 21st at Melifluous in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Ministry of SMEs and Startups

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The participants also discussed the cooperative's suggestions, such as supporting the switch to alternative materials instead of plastic in cafes and ways to ease the cost burden on small business owners during this transition.

Lee Byungkwon, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "We have been listening to the various difficulties faced by small business owners through previous meetings with bakery and restaurant industries, but coming to the field makes the impact feel even greater." He added, "Since the government enacted the regulation prohibiting hoarding of petrochemical raw materials and emergency supply adjustments as of the 15th, we will closely monitor the supply of packaging containers in cooperation with relevant ministries, and if supply instability occurs, we will designate additional related items as needed."

Meanwhile, at last week's meeting with the Korea Foodservice Industry Association, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups received nine suggestions regarding issues beyond the surge in price and supply of plastic containers, including foreign labor and Onnuri gift certificates. The ministry shared the most pressing issue-the sharp rise in plastic container prices-with relevant ministries and requested their cooperation to prevent supply disruptions, and also took follow-up actions such as providing detailed guidance on the foreign labor system.

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