The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 28th that it will officially open the 'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Week' in Jeju, starting with the 31st APEC Ministerial Meeting on Small and Medium Enterprises at the International Convention Center Jeju (JEJU ICC) on September 1.
The APEC Ministerial Meeting on Small and Medium Enterprises is one of the sectoral meetings held ahead of the APEC Leaders' Summit taking place in Gyeongju in October, where representatives from 21 APEC member countries convene to discuss challenges faced by small and medium enterprises, such as climate change and declining population. Moreover, it serves as an important opportunity for our small and medium enterprises to expand their global networks through cooperation with APEC member countries beyond just a simple international conference.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to designate the first week of September, when the APEC Ministerial Meeting takes place, as 'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Week' to facilitate policy exchanges between member countries, as well as to prepare for APEC small and medium enterprise stakeholders to see, hear, and experience the excellence of Korea's leading small and medium enterprises and small business owners as much as possible.
'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Week' will kick off on September 1 with the official workshop 'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Innovation Forum.' Additionally, a ceremony will be held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the 'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Innovation Center,' which was founded following the joint declaration of the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Small and Medium Enterprises held in Daegu in 2005.
On the second day, the 2nd, an official workshop titled 'ASEM Green Innovation Center (ASEIC) Global Green Forum' will be held to discuss cooperation strategies for green innovation encompassing Asia, Europe, and the APEC region. On the 3rd and 4th, the 'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group Meeting' will convene with representatives from small and medium enterprises policy departments across the APEC region to conduct in-depth discussions on challenges faced by small and medium enterprises and policy responses.
The highlight of the event, the 'APEC Ministerial Meeting on Small and Medium Enterprises,' will take place on the final day, the 5th. Ministers from each member country will participate to conclude discussions from this meeting and adopt a joint declaration that outlines the outcomes of the ministerial meeting and future plans.
During this ministerial meeting, under the theme 'Small and Medium Enterprises: The Driving Force for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,' member countries will share policies regarding challenges faced by small and medium enterprises and discuss three cooperation plans. It is expected to be an important gathering to map out the direction of small and medium enterprise cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region in response to global crises faced by small and medium enterprises, such as the rapid advancement of AI and changes in the global supply chain.
Additionally, 'APEC Ministerial Meeting Week' will feature eight major events hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, including the opening ceremony of the pre-event 'Donghaeng Festival' (from August 30 to 31), 'Global Startup Day in Jeju,' and the Tech Management Innovation Competition, all encompassing small and medium enterprises and small business owners.
'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Week' is expected to serve as a platform to showcase the innovative capabilities of our small and medium startups to the world and establish a foothold for global expansion, as well as to become a festival for small and medium enterprises that all participants can enjoy.
Han Seong-suk, Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, noted, 'This APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Week, including the ministerial meeting, is a valuable opportunity for our small and medium enterprises to leap onto the global stage.' She further stated, 'Through cooperation with APEC member countries, we will actively support our corporations to take the lead in innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth, paving the way for them to advance into global markets.' Minister Han emphasized, 'I hope this meeting will be the first step for small and medium enterprises across the Asia-Pacific region, beyond Korea, to become agents of sustainable and inclusive growth.'