[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] On the 7th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the '2021 Korea Small and Medium Businessperson Convention' to share and encourage the achievements of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have contributed to the economic development of the Republic of Korea through innovative growth and job creation.
Now in its 32nd year, the Small and Medium Businessperson Convention was first held as the opening event of the 2nd Small and Medium Business Week in 1990 and has since established itself as the largest event in the SME sector. It is a festival where large-scale merit awards are presented to exemplary small and medium businesspersons.
This year's convention, under the slogan "The Power to Turn Crisis into Opportunity! SMEs," delivered a hopeful message about the future of the Korean economy, encouraging overcoming the difficulties of COVID-19 with the resilience of SMEs.
A total of 92 government awards were presented, including 15 Industrial Medals such as the Gold Tower, 12 Industrial Commendations, 32 Presidential Citations, and 33 Prime Minister Citations, to exemplary small and medium businesspersons, model workers, contributors to development, and outstanding organizations. Additionally, 296 awards at the ministerial and vice-ministerial levels were also given.
This year's event was held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, with fewer than 100 participants, including Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, government officials, SME merit awardees from various industries, and related organizations, in compliance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
While connecting representatives of SMEs from 13 regions nationwide remotely, the event was also broadcast live online so that small and medium businesspersons, small business owners, merit awardees' families, and others across the country could share the occasion.
The honor of the Gold Tower Industrial Medal this year went to Eom Ju-seop, CEO of Danhae, and Park Jun-heum, CEO of HanHwang Industry. CEO Eom received the Gold Tower Industrial Medal in recognition of his contribution to the development of the automotive parts industry and enhancement of national competitiveness, including a 1 trillion won import substitution effect through the localization of pneumatic equipment and achieving 200 billion won in exports.
CEO Park was honored with the Gold Tower Industrial Medal for his contributions to the development of the electrical and electronics, shipbuilding, and machinery industries, as well as for promoting employment activation and national economic development through creating win-win jobs with local communities.
Prime Minister Kim presented awards to nine SME representatives who received the Gold Tower Industrial Medal (2 persons), Silver Tower Industrial Medal (1 person), Bronze Tower Industrial Medal (1 person), Iron Tower Industrial Medal (1 person), Stone Tower Industrial Medal (1 person), Industrial Commendation (1 person), Presidential Citation (1 person), and Prime Minister Citation (1 person).
Minister Kwon Chil-seung of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups awarded 23 merit recipients, including Heo Sang-oh, CEO of SPIEL, who received the Silver Tower Industrial Medal. Minister Kwon stated, "In the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19, the resilience shown by SMEs and startups as the backbone of the economy has propelled the Korean economy to a new level and demonstrated the potential to lead in the global market."
He added, "We will prioritize policies focusing on stabilizing the livelihoods of small business owners, innovating SMEs and startups, creating policies that meet the needs of the field, producing tangible results for the public, and preparing for future innovation."
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