Government Supports Remote Work for SMEs with 'Non-Face-to-Face Voucher'

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] By next year, a total of 160,000 small and venture companies will receive vouchers from the government to utilize non-face-to-face services such as video conferencing and remote work. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 13th the "Plan to Promote Digital Transformation of Small and Venture Companies Using Non-Face-to-Face Service Vouchers." This project aims to help small and venture companies efficiently respond to the rapid shift to non-face-to-face working methods following the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The vouchers assist small and venture companies in easily accessing consulting services related to personnel, labor, and security for the introduction of non-face-to-face systems. Support is provided up to a maximum of 4 million KRW per company (including a 10% self-payment). Recruitment will be ongoing from the 19th of this month until the budget is exhausted, supporting 80,000 companies each in this year and next year, totaling 160,000 small and venture companies.

To this end, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups secured a project budget of 288 billion KRW through the third supplementary budget this year. Supplier company recruitment starts today and runs until the 24th of this month; applications can be submitted via the K-Startup website. After eligibility review and document screening, about 50 companies per non-face-to-face service sector will be selected in the first round. The quality of services will be managed by evaluating suppliers through a star rating system and other demand-side assessments, with poorly performing suppliers being removed. Eligible non-face-to-face service sectors include video conferencing services, remote work services, network and security solutions, and consulting for the introduction of non-face-to-face systems. The Ministry plans to allow startup companies less than three years old to apply even if they have no sales record.

Kang Sungcheon, Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Since COVID-19, social and economic paradigms such as daily life and business methods have rapidly shifted to a non-face-to-face focus, and digital transformation of small and venture companies is no longer a choice but a matter of survival." He added, "We will focus support on innovative small companies with technological and growth potential (venture companies, Inno-Biz, Main-Biz) and companies participating in Ministry support policies such as Tomorrow Filling Deduction, startups, and R&D to ensure early visible project outcomes."