"Glocal Approach Needed for Revitalizing SME Cooperatives"…Korea Federation of SMEs Holds Policy Research Forum

Direction for Promoting the Activation Plan of SME Cooperatives
Expert Discussions from Academia, Research, and Cooperatives

The Korea Federation of SMEs announced on the 5th that it held a policy research forum on the theme of ‘Policy Evaluation and Activation Plan Promotion Direction for Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperatives’ at the SME Federation Innovation Room in Yeouido, Seoul.

Professor Jang Seung-gwon of Sungkonghoe University is presenting a paper at the "Policy Paradigm Shift Forum for Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperatives" held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 10, 2021. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

This forum was conducted to gather diverse opinions from cooperatives and experts regarding the 4th Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperative Activation Plan, which will be implemented over the next three years starting next year, in order to establish it as a ‘collaboration platform among SMEs.’

The forum featured a keynote presentation by Professor Jang Seung-kwon of Sungkonghoe University on ‘Directions and Tasks for the Activation Plan of Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperatives,’ followed by discussions among experts from academia, research institutes, and cooperatives on promoting collaboration and improving systems.

In particular, Professor Jang explained, “The 4th Activation Plan requires a Glocal strategy that simultaneously promotes globalization and regional development, along with customized support according to the stages of joint project implementation.” As implementation measures, he emphasized ‘Glocal win-win cooperation,’ ‘customized market development,’ ‘training of professionals for joint projects,’ ‘advancement of cooperative collaboration models,’ and ‘discovery of new business opportunities.’

During the discussion, experts such as Professor Kwak Won-jun of Soongsil University, Research Fellow Jung Eun-ae of the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, as well as Jeong Jang-woon, Executive Director of the Korea Spatial Information Industry Cooperative, Yoon Hee-jun, Executive Director of the Korea Limestone Processing Cooperative, and Kim Ji-yeon, Executive Director of the Incheon Supermarket Cooperative, presented field-centered joint project cases and support measures to enhance competitiveness.

Yoon Wi-sang, Director of the SME Cooperative Research Institute and host of this forum, stated, “We hope that the 4th Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperative Activation Plan will lead to effective policies that strengthen the social and economic roles of SME cooperatives to promote innovative growth of SMEs, overseas expansion, and overcoming the crisis of regional extinction.”