Junggi Junganghoe Launches Private Council for Fostering Non-Face-to-Face Small and Medium Enterprises

Digital and Contactless Transformation and Promotion: Small and Venture Businesses Join Hands

The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business held the launch ceremony of the 'Non-face-to-face Small and Medium Business Promotion Private Council,' the federation announced on the 21st. Photo by Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business

[Asia Economy Reporter Heeyoon Kim] The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector announced on the 21st that it has launched the ‘Non-face-to-face SME Promotion Private Council’ and held the launching ceremony at the Korea Federation of SMEs.

The launching ceremony was attended by Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs and the council chairman; Jung Yoon-sook, President of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association; Seok Yong-chan, President of the Korea Management Innovation SME Association; Ko Young-ha, President of the Korea Angel Investment Association; and other heads of SME organizations. Additionally, Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, and Jeong Tae-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who proposed the bill on fostering non-face-to-face SMEs and startups, attended to congratulate the launch.

The Non-face-to-face SME Promotion Private Council is composed of SME organizations such as the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, and the Korea Angel Investment Association, with the Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs serving as the council chairman. It will work together to △ promote the transition of SMEs and startups to non-face-to-face operations △ mutually cooperate to support the fostering of non-face-to-face SMEs and startups △ and enact laws to support non-face-to-face SMEs.

At the launching ceremony, Jung Joong-gyo, CEO of Fresh Easy, an innovative company gaining attention in the recently spotlighted meal kit sector, was connected via online video conference to share his management process and success know-how from startup to the recent COVID-19 situation. Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs and the council chairman, also held a discussion with two non-face-to-face entrepreneurs through the online video connection.

Lee Rang-hyuk, CEO of Gurumi Co., Ltd., a domestic video conferencing and education program platform company, requested, “Systematic support for local market research, consulting, and marketing is necessary so that small non-face-to-face SMEs can easily enter overseas markets.” In addition, Cho Sung-woo, CEO of Uisikju Company (Laundrigo), a non-face-to-face mobile laundry service company, suggested, “If the Ministry of SMEs and Startups leads the expansion of venture investment and guarantees for non-face-to-face SMEs and enacts laws to support non-face-to-face SMEs and startups, it will greatly help companies grow.”

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, stated, “With the advent of the untact era, demand for non-face-to-face services such as video conferencing and telecommuting is increasing, but it is still difficult to feel this on the ground in SMEs. It is necessary to establish a digital management foundation and build a non-face-to-face work environment for SMEs, as well as systematic government support to foster non-face-to-face SMEs.”

Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said, “The Ministry’s core goal going forward is to foster non-face-to-face SMEs and startups that lead the global market and to globalize non-face-to-face innovative companies as platforms. While establishing a specialized fostering system for non-face-to-face SMEs and startups, we will promptly review the recommendations of the private council and actively consult with related ministries.”