The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises held the "communication meeting between Chairperson Kim Kyeong-soo and small and medium businesspeople" at KBIZ in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th.
The meeting was arranged to discuss pending issues related to the growth of regional small and midsize businesses as the government is pursuing region-led growth for a major economic shift.
Attendees included Chairperson Kim Kyeong-soo of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development and Cho Ung-hwan, director-general of the 5 Poles and 3 Special Policies Bureau. From the small and midsize business community, local and metropolitan area representatives took part, including KBIZ Chairman Kim Ki-moon; Lee Han-uk, chair of the Korea New Technology Business Cooperative (South Gyeongsang); Lim Kyung-jun, chair of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Asphalt Concrete Industry Cooperative (South Jeolla); Hwang Hyeon-bae, chair of the Incheon Industrial Distribution Business Cooperative (Incheon); and Han Young-don, chair of the Seonyu Industrial Complex Business Cooperative (northern Gyeonggi).
Participants proposed as key tasks: ▲ expanding the scope of corporations recognized for reshoring ▲ supporting business conversion for regional traditional manufacturing small and midsize businesses ▲ cultivating theory, practice, and on-site talent tailored to regional strategic industries.
KBIZ Chairman Kim Ki-moon said, "Among small and midsize businesses located outside the Seoul metropolitan area, 63.4% feel a large gap in the business environment compared with the metropolitan area, and excessive concentration in the metropolitan area is leading to weakened national competitiveness, including low birthrates and a decline in potential growth," adding, "For our economy to maintain its recent growth momentum, narrowing the gap between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas is more important than anything else."
Kim added, "For region-led growth to succeed, the key is to create quality jobs in the regions," emphasizing, "Alongside attracting anchor corporations, we need policy support to build an industrial ecosystem where small and midsize businesses also grow evenly, to innovate traditional regional manufacturing through business conversion and AI transition (AX), and to shift industrial complex sector regulations to a negative list system."
Chairperson Kim Kyeong-soo said, "We will expand small and midsize business participation in the 5 Poles and 3 Special growth engine industries and actively pursue tailored support policies for small and midsize businesses, including talent development and fiscal support."
Regarding the proposals raised that day, Kim said, "We will improve the business environment for regional small and midsize businesses and lay a foundation for growth by expanding the scope of reshoring, supporting business conversion through the spread of AI, and backing practical talent development," adding, "The Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development will continue to provide active support so that small and midsize businesses can play a central role in the process of balanced growth between the regions and the central area."