Ministry of SMEs and Startups Announces '2022 Key Projects for Supporting Innovative Growth of Small Businesses'
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Support will be provided for the establishment of 'Smart Workshops' that implement basic-level digitalization by utilizing advanced technologies (IoT, AI) in the manual labor-oriented manufacturing processes of small-scale manufacturers, and the meal kit production of Baeknyeon stores will also be promoted.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 30th that it will announce major projects supporting the innovative growth of small business owners, including fostering small-scale manufacturers and Baeknyeon stores, and promoting collaboration.
The budget for next year for the three projects of fostering small-scale manufacturers, Baeknyeon stores, and promoting collaboration will be 108.9 billion KRW, an increase of 12.5% compared to this year, focusing on overcoming the management crisis caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and securing sustainable competitiveness.
For small-scale manufacturers with fewer than 10 employees whose manufacturing processes are mainly manual, support will be provided to establish 'Smart Workshops' that implement basic-level digitalization by utilizing advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The budget to build solutions (SW) for digitalizing manufacturing processes and to support necessary automation equipment and sensors will increase by 66% from the previous year to 49 billion KRW, aiming to support the smart transformation of 1,000 small-scale manufacturing sites.
Support will also be provided to create a 'Clean Manufacturing Environment' to improve working conditions at small-scale manufacturing sites, such as reducing pollutants, preventing safety accidents, and improving energy efficiency. Additionally, close support programs for small-scale manufacturers will be offered through 'Specialized Centers' operated by industry-specific institutions in clusters where small-scale manufacturers of the same industry are concentrated.
To promote collaboration among small business owners, 15.75 billion KRW will be provided to realize economies of scale through the organization and scaling of small business cooperatives and to enhance self-sustainability through collaboration activation.
The operation of the Collaboration Academy will be expanded to 12 locations, and sales channels will be supported through exclusive planning support for small business cooperatives using online and offline distribution platforms, live commerce, and exhibitions. Furthermore, tailored support will be provided for high-growth cooperatives, including brand development, BI, CI, initial foundation establishment, cooperative scaling support, and franchise system construction according to the characteristics of cooperatives at each stage.
A total of 7.69 billion KRW will be invested in fostering Baeknyeon stores and Baeknyeon small-scale manufacturers, supporting the improvement of aging store environments by removing harmful substances and installing safety equipment, and promoting digital management improvements such as the introduction of smart technologies.
In response to the non-face-to-face economy, support will be provided for planning exhibitions and producing online content in collaboration with distribution companies. Next year, the meal kit production of Baeknyeon store products will also be promoted by matching with meal kit development and manufacturing companies. All companies selected as Baeknyeon stores and Baeknyeon small-scale manufacturers will be provided with certification plaques and storyboards, and support will be given for online and offline promotion through the production of best practice collections and various events, as well as customized consulting.
Detailed information can be found on the websites of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Enterprise and Market Service.
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