Minister Oh Young-joo Emphasizes Strengthening Techno Park's Role... "Will Support Key Projects"

On the 14th, 'National Technopark Directors Meeting' Held
Listening to Challenges of Local Small and Medium Enterprises

Oh Young-joo, Minister of SMEs and Startups, emphasized the strengthening of the role of Technoparks on the 14th.

Oh Young-joo, Minister of SMEs and Startups, is speaking on the follow-up action plan for the public discussion on small and medium enterprises and small business owners after attending the emergency economic ministers' meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 13th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the same day, Minister Oh stated at a meeting with directors of 19 Technoparks nationwide held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, “Technoparks must serve as platforms that connect and consolidate resources from scattered innovation institutions within the region to provide optimal services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will actively support the key projects being promoted by Technoparks.” Technoparks are institutions that foster strong technology companies by establishing organic networks with local industry-academia-research collaborations and regional innovation institutions, and by formulating industrial development strategies tailored to regional characteristics.

This meeting was the first occasion for Minister Oh to meet with directors of Technoparks nationwide since her appointment. It was organized to listen to the field difficulties faced by local SMEs and to discuss policy directions to support innovative growth. Participants shared regional economic and industrial trends and key policy initiatives for this year, and had time to communicate about strengthening the role of Technoparks as regional innovation hubs.

Do Geon-woo, Chairman of the Korea Technopark Promotion Agency, explained, “So far, Technoparks have led SME growth by establishing regional specialized development strategies that leverage unique local characteristics and strengths. We will continue to work together so that local SMEs can proactively respond to and grow amid rapidly changing global environments.”

In response, Minister Oh said, “To drive innovative growth of local SMEs, it is important for Technoparks and regional SME offices to take the lead in consolidating the capabilities of regional innovation institutions. We will improve necessary systems so that Technoparks and regional SME offices can play a central role in their regions.”