Gyeonggawon Partners with Research Institutes to Support Technological Innovation for Local SMEs

Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency

The Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency has partnered with leading domestic research institutions to support technological innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the province.

On the 31st, the agency announced that it had signed a written memorandum of understanding (MOU) with three research institutions: the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL), the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), and the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering & Technology (KICET).

KCL and KTR are leading comprehensive testing and certification organizations in Korea, providing testing and certification services across all industrial sectors. KICET is the only specialized ceramic research institute in the country.

This MOU was conducted as part of the ‘Gyeonggi-do Technology Development Project’ and the ‘Gyeonggi-do R&D First Step Enterprise Research Institute Support Project.’

Since 2008, the Gyeonggi-do Technology Development Project has been a representative research and development (R&D) initiative of the province, aimed at discovering companies with innovative ideas and supporting their R&D expenses to promote corporate growth.

The Gyeonggi-do R&D First Step Enterprise Research Institute Support Project was launched last year. It selects technology-based companies that have newly established corporate-affiliated research institutes or relocated to the province from other local governments within the past three years, providing initial R&D funding to support technological innovation and growth.

Through this agreement, the agency plans to maximize the effectiveness of these two projects to accelerate technological innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in the province.

The main contents of the agreement include ▲ providing diagnostic services for quantitative research goals of institutions executing Gyeonggi-do R&D support projects ▲ offering technical and certification consulting ▲ reducing testing fees ▲ collaborating on new project planning.

After signing the agreement with these three institutions, the agency will form and operate a ‘Technology Consulting Group.’

Kang Seong-cheon, head of the agency, stated, "This agreement enables Gyeonggi-do SMEs to actively utilize the technological development expertise of leading domestic research institutions. We will continue to collaborate with more specialized organizations to promote technological innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of companies in the province."