Will Large Companies Be Allowed to Participate in Public SW Projects? ... Public Hearing to Be Held on the 28th

[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] As side effects from restricting large corporations' participation in the public software (SW) procurement market continue, the government is set to actively improve the system.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 24th that it will hold a public hearing online on the 28th from 3 to 5 p.m. regarding the system improvement plan for public software projects aimed at mutual growth and development between large and small-medium enterprises.

At the hearing, the previously discussed system improvement plan for public software projects will be presented, followed by panel discussions and real-time Q&A sessions. Participation is possible by accessing the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Naver TV channel from 3 p.m. on the day. Opinions can be submitted through the real-time chat window, and responses from ministry officials and experts will be provided.

The restriction system on large corporations’ participation in public software projects was introduced to improve the large corporation-centered public software market and promote the growth of small and medium enterprises. However, as side effects such as declining software quality in large-scale projects have been confirmed, there is a growing call for expanding the market through win-win cooperation between large and small-medium enterprises to advance the industry.

The Ministry of Science and ICT, through the Software Industry Innovation Forum composed of related experts, reached a consensus on system improvements including the large corporation participation restriction system during July and August, and based on this, will announce the prepared system improvement plan for public software projects at this public hearing.

The main contents of the system improvement plan include ▲enhancing predictability regarding large corporation participation ▲expanding the software market through activation of new businesses and overseas expansion ▲strengthening win-win cooperation between large and small-medium enterprises for SME growth ▲improving the quality of public software projects by preferential treatment of excellent software companies.

A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated, "We plan to finalize the system improvement plan after reviewing opinions raised at the public hearing, and except for some tasks requiring research services, reflect it in related regulations and apply it to public software projects starting at the end of this year."