Jungjingong Supports 7,000 Companies' Entry into E-commerce This Year

2021 E-commerce Utilization Entry Support Project Announcement

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) and the Small and Medium Business Corporation (Chairman Kim Hak-do, hereinafter referred to as SBC) announced on the 28th that they will carry out the "2021 E-commerce Utilization Entry Support Project Announcement" to support the export business continuity of small and medium enterprises and to revitalize online exports.

Since 2017, the Ministry and SBC have been operating the E-commerce Utilization Entry Support Project to support the online overseas expansion of small and medium enterprises. Last year, they supported 5,800 companies and achieved a total export performance of 362.4 billion KRW. This year's annual project budget is about 40 billion KRW, supporting approximately 7,000 companies. Through detailed projects such as online direct export via global platforms, export agency services, professional workforce training, and online exhibitions, customized support is provided according to the company's situation.

In particular, this year, to actively respond to the rapidly expanding online and digital market environment due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, they plan to expand non-face-to-face export support using online export support companies. The online export agency project supports the entire online export process by utilizing specialized executing companies with abundant experience in global shopping mall sales, sequentially recruiting 15 specialized executing companies and 2,500 participating companies.

The online direct export project supports global shopping mall entry education, consulting, and test marketing, and discovers and nurtures promising companies. A total of 1,000 participating companies will be matched and supported with 5 specialized executing institutions. The own mall entry project supports 55 companies in total, aiming to grow the own malls of small and medium enterprises whose products have been verified for marketability overseas into globally competitive shopping malls. This year, the target will be expanded to promising service sectors such as content and medical healthcare, focusing on five major consumer goods including medical and cosmetics.

Additionally, joint marketing utilizing the Korean Wave and local shopping seasons will be newly supported. Marketing will be operated continuously in connection with global platforms, and customized local event methods will be combined to achieve visible results. The online exhibition project builds an online exhibition hall on the 'GoBiz Korea' website and supports matching with buyers.

Individual announcements for each project will proceed from today. Applications can be made online through GoBiz Korea, and detailed inquiries can be made to the GoBiz Korea Support Center. Chairman Kim Hak-do said, "I hope the E-commerce Utilization Entry Support Project will be a solid stepping stone for small and medium ventures with excellent products to successfully enter the rapidly growing global e-commerce market."