This will serve as a springboard for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in South Korea to expand globally.
Han Seong-suk, Minister of SMEs and Startups, emphasized the importance of 'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Week,' currently being held in Jeju, during a meeting with reporters at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) on 4th.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has been conducting various events to promote Korea's innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and startups worldwide, starting with the 'Cooperation Festival' on the 30th of last month. On the 5th, the highlight of the week, the 'APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting,' will be held.
On that morning, Minister Han attended the 'Small and Medium Enterprises Innovation Network Forum' and the 'Global Venture Investment Summit APEC,' explaining both the innovation of K-SMEs and the domestic venture investment ecosystem, which amounts to 12.5 trillion won, to APEC member nations and investors.
In particular, Minister Han emphasized close collaboration with Vietnam. That morning, she met Nguyen Duc Tam, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment of Vietnam, to share South Korea's small and medium-sized enterprise policies and discuss cooperation plans between the two countries. Vice Minister Nguyen Duc Tam is a key figure in planning and establishing Vietnam's national economic strategy.
Minister Han said, 'Vietnam is currently very interested in South Korea's startups and small and medium-sized enterprises,' adding, 'We discussed various ways to share results from Korea and connect with the resources Vietnam possesses.'
In the afternoon, Minister Han will hold bilateral talks with officials from five countries, including Vietnam, Japan, China, Peru, and Indonesia. She stated, 'I will discuss innovation strategies such as the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, and AX (artificial intelligence transformation), and convey the innovation and growth of Korea's small and medium-sized enterprises.'
Minister Han also emphasized, 'Korean small and medium-sized enterprises and startups have significant growth potential,' stating, 'We will support not only investments in domestic startups and small and medium-sized enterprises by the 21 APEC member countries but also help Korean corporations expand into APEC and globally.'
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to adopt a joint declaration at the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting on the 5th, which will contain the contents discussed with the 21 APEC member countries.