The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said on the 10th it will issue a consolidated notice for next year's export support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and small merchants totaling 686.7 billion won.
Next year's programs focus on strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises' capacity to respond to trade conditions and their export competitiveness. The emphasis is on building an "export growth ladder" to systematically back small merchants' entry into global markets.
The export voucher program, which accounts for the largest share, was set at 150.2 billion won, up 22.6 billion won from this year. The separately run tariff response voucher was integrated with the general voucher so any participating corporations can use a tariff response package, including consulting on tariff damage and securing alternative supply chains. Corporations using tariff-response services will receive an additional limit of up to 50 million won, for total support of 150 million won per corporation.
It will also ease logistics costs. The international shipping cost support service, which was temporarily raised last year, will be increased from 30 million won to 60 million won. Comprehensive logistics outsourcing services such as warehouse storage, delivery, and packaging, as well as international shipping costs for free samples requested by buyers, will be newly included as eligible items.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) will also bolster domestic corporations' expansion overseas. The budget for overseas exhibitions and business meetings will be expanded to 19.8 billion won to discover new buyers. In line with policies to boost online exports, the budget for the e-commerce export market entry program will be increased by 5 billion won, and the ministry will help with entry into global marketplaces and the operation of overseas-direct online stores. Support such as international express mail via the post office will also be strengthened starting in the first half of next year.
A Global Business Center (GBC), a base for overseas expansion, will open in Qingdao and go into full operation in the first half of next year. A new "global base camp" program will also be launched to support information provision and expert counseling in cooperation with overseas local associations and organizations. To strengthen responses to foreign export regulations, specialized training related to certification by U.S. nationally recognized testing laboratories and a support program for complying with Europe's packaging regulations will be newly introduced.
It also set a goal to nurture 500 promising corporations in beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and food by 2030. In partnership with private corporations such as Olive Young and Musinsa, it will strengthen the growth ecosystem with initiatives such as smart factory establishment and intellectual property matching. K-beauty regional export hubs will be piloted by selecting one to two locations next year, then expanded to eight regions by 2030.
It will also promote small merchants' overseas expansion. A 9.5 billion won "global small merchant development program" will be newly established to support export-focused training and business model transitions as a package.
By linking online entry programs, export vouchers, and funds dedicated to small enterprises, it will establish an "export growth ladder" system to strengthen the development of global small merchants. It plans to help small merchants open overseas sales channels through support such as advertising and marketing on overseas platforms and logistics for overseas e-commerce.
Lee Sun-bae, director-general for global growth policy, said, "With external uncertainty high, the difficulties and concerns of exporting small and medium-sized enterprises are growing," adding, "In light of this, we moved up the timing of next year's consolidated notice for export support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises and will swiftly provide export funds to small and medium-sized enterprises."