'Exclusive Logistics Center for SME Air Exports' Private Operator Recruitment

Recruitment of Specialized Logistics Companies Until Feb 10
Business Briefing at COEX, Seoul on Feb 10

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Lee Young, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) and the Small and Medium Business Corporation (Chairman Kim Hak-do, hereinafter referred to as SBC) announced on the 6th that they will publicly recruit a private operator to run the 'Logistics Center Exclusively for SMEs' within the Incheon Airport Terminal 2 Logistics Complex.

The logistics center exclusively for SMEs is a project to establish a logistics center dedicated to domestic air export SMEs (site area of 18,452.9㎡). To alleviate logistics difficulties faced by exporting SMEs and strengthen their competitiveness, SBC and Incheon International Airport Corporation signed an agreement last November and are currently promoting the project.

The logistics center will be directly constructed through collaboration between SBC and Incheon Airport Corporation. Incheon Airport Corporation will build a two-story facility enabling all logistics processes such as goods receipt, storage, and packaging, while SBC will introduce advanced automated logistics equipment. The goal is to begin operations by the end of 2024.

The private operator will participate from the construction phase to build an advanced logistics center that meets user needs. After construction, the operator will support the growth of exporting SMEs by utilizing the logistics center infrastructure to provide full fulfillment support across all logistics areas including product storage, transportation, and export customs clearance services; offer logistics services at affordable costs; and link logistics consulting and education services.

SBC plans to select a specialized logistics company with extensive experience in operating air logistics such as e-commerce, handling SME logistics, and managing fulfillment logistics centers. The selected operator will have the qualification to operate and manage the logistics center for 10 years from the business commencement date. In line with the trend of expanding online exports by SMEs, the center will mainly handle items such as K-POP, cosmetics, clothing, and small home appliances.

Logistics companies wishing to participate in the SME-exclusive logistics center project can submit their business plans to SBC by February 10. An explanatory session on the logistics center construction project will also be held at COEX, Seoul on February 10. Kim Hak-do, Chairman of SBC, said, "We expect that the logistics center exclusively for air export SMEs will help reduce logistics costs for exporting SMEs and contribute to revitalizing online exports."