Ministry of SMEs and Startups Holds 'Cheer Up! Sosang Gongin'... "Boosting Morale and Promoting Consumption for Small Business Owners"

Operation of 'Baeknyeon Gage Exhibition and Sales' and 'Small Business Market'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwak Minjae] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 11th that, together with the Small Enterprise and Market Service, it will hold the ‘Century-old Store Excellent Products Exhibition and Sales Event’ and the ‘Cheer Up! Small Business Market’ near Seoul Plaza for two days starting from the 13th.

This event was prepared in connection with the 77th anniversary of Liberation Day to boost the morale of small business owners who have recently been facing difficulties and to promote consumption. Since 2018, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has been designating and supporting century-old stores and century-old small artisans, discovering excellent small business owners with long experience and know-how to help them sustain their businesses for over 100 years.

The event will feature a dedicated exhibition and sales hall for meal kits (ready-to-eat meals) that capture the traditional flavors of century-old stores, which have recently gained attention as non-face-to-face innovative products, as well as 15 sales booths including the ‘Korea Travel Industry Cooperative’ formed by 24 small specialized travel agencies, helping small business owners struggling to open new sales channels.

In October, in collaboration with Incheon International Airport Corporation, century-old store exclusive restaurants where visitors can taste the food of century-old stores will open at two terminals (T1, T2) of Incheon Airport. Both domestic and foreign visitors will be able to experience the traditional flavors of century-old stores and purchase meal kit products, which the Ministry of SMEs and Startups expects will serve as an opportunity to widely promote the excellent tastes of century-old stores overseas.

Additionally, under the supervision of the Small Business Federation, the ‘Cheer Up! Small Business Market’ featuring food trucks and various attractions will be operated behind Seoul City Hall. During the event period, the area will be designated as a car-free street. Won Youngjun, Director of Small Business Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, “Since this event is organized to boost the morale of small business owners and promote consumption, we will continue to promote events that can showcase excellent small business products in various ways and do our best to ensure the full recovery of small business owners.”