Led by the Small and Medium Business Technology Information Promotion Agency, Actively Responding to 'Technological Changes' Following the Transition to the 'Digital Economy'
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] A notable part of the Small and Medium Venture Business Administration's budget for next year is the 'Support for Technology Development (R&D) of Small and Medium Enterprises.' The budget for technology development (R&D) support for small and medium enterprises, which was around 1.5 trillion won this year, has been increased by about 13% to 1.7 trillion won.
This signifies a full-scale effort to foster 'technology small and medium enterprises' led by the Small and Medium Business Technology Information Promotion Agency by supporting the development of new products and performance improvements such as quarantine supplies and equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
First, 8.91 billion won will be invested in 'Field Demand Customized Quarantine Supplies Technology Development (R&D).' By supporting R&D of quarantine supplies and equipment reflecting the demands of medical institutions and core items suitable for small and medium enterprise technology, the goal is to secure a stable supply base for quarantine supplies and foster such small and medium enterprises to create the achievements of 'K-Quarantine.'
The Small and Medium Business Technology Information Promotion Agency plans to select small and medium enterprises in the bio, medical, and quarantine fields and support 600 million won per company for two years.
86 billion won has also been allocated to the 'Research Base Utilization Plus (R&D)' project. This will support the use of services in the form of online vouchers so that small and medium enterprises can efficiently utilize research equipment and professional services owned by universities, research institutes, and other operating institutions.
59.42 billion won has been assigned to 'Strengthening Global Competitiveness of Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises.' The goal is to support the advancement of core products and new product development of manufacturing small and medium enterprises to enter the Global Value Chain (GVC) and strengthen national manufacturing competitiveness. Focused support will be provided to companies holding factory registration certificates and reshoring small and medium enterprises in the Mid-Tech field.
60 billion won will be invested in the 'Smart Service ICT Solution Development' project to support building a foundation for service innovation of small and medium ventures by improving service productivity and advancement. Support will be divided into 35 tasks for software and digital content development and production companies.
50 billion won has been allocated for 'Strategic Cooperation Technology Development (R&D) for Materials, Parts, and Equipment.' Universities and research institutes possessing technology, infrastructure, and personnel in materials, parts, and equipment will be invited to apply and selected as operating institutions (two). Utilizing the original technology and infrastructure of these operating institutions, the plan is to enhance the technological capabilities of promising small and medium enterprises in the materials, parts, and equipment sector.
An official from the Small and Medium Business Administration explained, "We have significantly expanded the technology development (R&D) budget to actively respond to technological changes due to the digital economy transition," adding, "The budget for new projects such as global startup technology development and strategic cooperation technology development for materials, parts, and equipment has also been reflected to strengthen technology support in materials, parts, equipment, and future promising fields."
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