The Small and Medium Enterprises Ombudsman announced that on the 14th at a conference hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, it held the first 'Growth Ladder Forum' of the year, inviting Minister Oh Youngju of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and startups, along with representatives from eight related associations and organizations for small businesses, women, and youth.
The Growth Ladder Forum is a gathering where the ombudsman and representatives of small business associations invite senior government officials to hear on-site opinions and discuss ways to improve regulations and difficulties.
At the forum, the representatives of the associations suggested measures such as reducing the 'burden of sales receivable insurance fees' for small and medium enterprises and postponing the 'mandatory implementation of barrier-free kiosks' for small businesses.
In response, Minister Oh Youngju said, "We are reviewing plans to expand the support for sales receivable insurance fees through collaboration with local governments and public agencies to alleviate the burden on small and medium enterprises." Regarding the mandatory introduction of barrier-free kiosks that began in January, she noted, "We will discuss measures to ease the burden on small businesses with the relevant agencies."
Additionally, the representatives of the associations proposed support for the ▲Femtech (technology encompassing products and services for women's health, pregnancy, childbirth, and well-being) industry and ▲entrepreneurship education support for the success of startups.
Minister Oh emphasized plans to mobilize all available means, stating, "Amid worsening trade conditions, the cumulative impact of high inflation and high interest rates, and changes in distribution structures, the difficulties faced by small and venture businesses and small merchants continue, so we plan to expedite the execution of 80% of this year's budget (15.2 trillion won) in the first half."
Minister Oh also highlighted the response measures to the tariff actions of the Trump administration through 15 export support centers nationwide. Regarding regulatory innovation, she stated, "Last year, we identified and processed the most, over 5,200 issues, in the recent four years," and added, "This year, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and the ombudsman will work as one team to focus on resolving regulations and difficulties."
Ombudsman Choi Seung-jae said, "The achievements of last year are the result of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, its affiliated organizations, and related agencies working organically with the ombudsman," and noted, "This year, we will focus on improving chronic regulations, hidden regulations, and local regulations, so that the public can feel the effects of regulatory innovation, creating a business-friendly environment."