Held at Lotte Hotel Jeju from the 27th to 30th
Discussion on current issues in the SME sector including high exchange rates, high interest rates, high inflation, and labor shortages
[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KSMB) announced on the 30th that it successfully concluded the largest annual forum for the SME sector, the '2022 SME Leaders Forum,' held from the 27th to the 30th.
Under the theme "60 Years of Progress, 100 Years of Hope," the forum held in Jeju Island commemorated the 60th anniversary of the KSMB’s founding by seeking solutions for the survival and growth of small and medium enterprises and exploring their roles and vision for the next 100 years. Over 400 SME representatives from various regions and industries attended.
Starting with a special lecture on "Recent Economic Conditions and Policy Directions" by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, opinion leaders from diverse fields such as Professor Lee Jung-dong of Seoul National University, Buddhist monk Beopryun, actress Kim Soo-mi, poet Shin Dal-ja, and Professor Oh Han-jin of Eulji University Hospital delivered lectures that received high praise from attendees.
In particular, during the forum, policy proposals were made to overcome the complex economic crisis faced by SMEs due to recent high exchange rates, high interest rates, high inflation, and labor shortages. These included responses to rising raw material prices and supply chain crises, measures to ease financial burdens and ensure smooth debt restructuring, a major shift in employment and labor policies, and the creation of conditions for innovative growth of SMEs.
Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the KSMB, said, "I hope this Leaders Forum provided SME owners with an opportunity to understand the changing trends of the world and find new growth engines," adding, "We will invite SME owners again next year with even more substantial programs."
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