Incheon Airport to Launch 'Logistics Center Exclusively for SMEs' in 2025

Securing Logistics Competitiveness for SMEs
Establishing an Export Support Ecosystem

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The 'Logistics Center Exclusively for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)' spanning approximately 20,000㎡ to be established at Incheon Airport will begin operations in January 2025. This logistics center for SMEs supports small and medium-sized cargo owners who have been deprioritized in logistics processing or are bearing relatively higher logistics costs amid the prolonged global logistics crisis. It allows the use of all logistics services?from product storage to transportation and export customs clearance?at the lowest cost. Once fully operational, it is expected to enhance the competitiveness of exporting small and medium venture companies.

The Small and Medium Business Corporation (SBC) held a briefing on the 2nd in Yeouido, Seoul, introducing the SME globalization export support project, including these details. SBC announced that it will lead export recovery by resolving difficulties faced by export companies and strengthening their competitiveness. Specifically, initiatives include ▲establishing an export support ecosystem such as securing logistics competitiveness for SMEs ▲strengthening future export competitiveness centered on online exports ▲diversifying support for SME globalization through enhanced domestic and international cooperation.

In particular, the project to build the logistics center exclusively for SMEs is set to officially start this year, aiming for implementation in January 2025. To this end, SBC signed a 'Joint Logistics Center Development Agreement for the Second Airport Logistics Complex Social Value Project' with Incheon International Airport Corporation in November last year. Incheon Airport Corporation will lease the land free of charge for five years and provide the logistics center building. SBC will be responsible for facility construction and management. The site is designated within the Second Airport Logistics Complex of Incheon International Airport in Unseo-dong, Incheon City, covering 18,453㎡. A private operator will be selected in the first quarter of this year. Construction is expected to be completed by 2024, and after recruiting participating companies, the project is anticipated to commence in January of the following year.

Once the center begins operations, logistics services covering the entire export process?including product storage, domestic and international transportation, and export customs clearance?will be provided at the lowest cost. Ahn Gon, Head of SBC’s Global Growth Division, explained, "A budget of 25.2 billion KRW has been allocated for building the logistics center exclusively for SMEs," adding, "We will select a private operator with smart logistics capabilities."

In addition, SBC has expanded its voucher program to strengthen SME export competitiveness. The export voucher program increased from 107.5 billion KRW last year to 119.7 billion KRW this year, and the logistics voucher rose from 11.9 billion KRW to 18 billion KRW. Support for online export fulfillment also increased, with 5 billion KRW provided to 500 companies last year, and this year 7.6 billion KRW will be invested for 772 companies.