The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 4th that it conducted a meeting led by Minister Han Seong-suk to review key issues such as consumer promotion and export response.
The purpose of this meeting was to review the plans for consumption promotion events being implemented regionally through the recently launched 'consumption activation task force' and to check the status of tariff response support that has been established so far.
First, discussions were held on field-oriented support measures focusing on domestic demand activation. Additionally, discussions continued on strengthening the implementation system for policies that citizens can feel. This is an extension of the launch of the 'consumption activation task force' held on July 30. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to proceed with systematic implementation of follow-up tasks based on the results of this discussion.
The second issue reviewed was the current status of tariff response support. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has been preparing various support measures such as the '2025 Export Support Plan for SMEs and Venture Enterprises' and the 'Additional Support Plan for SMEs Facing Tariffs in the U.S.' to minimize tariff damage for exporting SMEs. Based on this, the ministry has been executing all means for exporting SMEs to overcome tariff burdens, including the export voucher program and emergency management stabilization funds.
Finally, discussions were also held on building a safety net for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners. Minister Han reviewed the recovery status of traditional markets and small and medium-sized enterprises that suffered from flooding due to heavy rain last July, and also looked into the policy financing consultation and application support for disaster-affected SMEs, as well as the damage recovery system and initial response measures for major disasters.
Han Seong-suk said, 'The government is making every effort for domestic demand activation as a catalyst for recovery of people's livelihoods,' and noted, 'We will check all means to invigorate the local economy.'
She also said, 'Conditions have been established to conduct transactions with major countries on equal or superior terms through tariff negotiations, but as the reorganization of the international trade order continues to accelerate, please take all measures to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs to respond to this.'