Han Deok-su: "SMEs and Ventures to Grow as Key Players in Future New Industries"

'2024 Small and Medium Business Leaders Forum Opens... Over 300 SME Representatives Participate
Kim Gi-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, "Overseas Expansion for SMEs is Not a Choice but a Necessity"'

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on the 8th, "We will place small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and ventures at the center of economic vitality and help them grow as key players in future new industries."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering an encouragement speech at the opening ceremony of the '2024 SME Leaders Forum' held at Haevichi Hotel Jeju on the 8th.
[Photo by Korea Federation of SMEs]

At the opening ceremony of the '2024 SME Leaders Forum' held at the Haevichi Hotel Jeju on the same day, Prime Minister Han stated, "SMEs are the roots of our economy and the foundation of competitiveness."

He continued, "We will accelerate the innovation of traditional SMEs, such as the spread of smart factories," emphasizing, "We will introduce a specialized company system to promote the spread of smart manufacturing innovation and strive to improve the technological level of SMEs by more than 5% by 2027."

He promised, "We will support our SME venture industry to innovate based on artificial intelligence and data," and added, "We will focus on fostering ventures and startups in next-generation future industries such as digital, green growth, aviation, and space." He also added, "We will create a win-win industrial ecosystem where large corporations, SMEs, and startups can grow together in key advanced industries such as semiconductors and bio."

Regarding the recent government decision to designate eight cities and provinces nationwide as 'Opportunity Development Zones' to reduce inheritance tax, Prime Minister Han explained, "This is a groundbreaking measure to improve the burden of business succession, which has lagged behind global standards," and added, "It will also be a great force in revitalizing the regional economy, creating jobs, and achieving balanced development."

Marking its 17th year, this year's Leaders Forum brings together about 300 SME representatives from various industries and regions nationwide under the theme "With SMEs, to the World! To the Future!" and will be held from today until the 11th.

In particular, the '2024 SME Leaders Forum' is a follow-up to the 'Korea SME Convention' held in May at the lawn yard of the Yongsan Presidential Office to support the globalization of SMEs.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Kim Ki-moon, President of the Korea Federation of SMEs, and other key attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the '2024 SME Leaders Forum' held on the 8th at Haevichi Hotel Jeju.
[Photo by Korea Federation of SMEs]

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, said in his opening remarks, "These days, when you go abroad, you can feel that Korea's status has risen," and added, "Our SMEs must consider overseas expansion not as an option but as a necessity."

Before the forum's opening ceremony, the Korea Federation of SMEs visited the Dongbu Comprehensive Social Welfare Center in Seogwipo City, Jeju, as part of a social contribution program and delivered sponsorship goods worth about 20 million won, including office furniture and daily necessities.

During the forum, lectures are scheduled by Lee Jung-hyun, Vice Chairman of the Local Era Committee; Park Young-sun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups; Um Hong-gil, Executive Director of the Um Hong-gil Human Foundation; actress Shin Ae-ra; Professor Jung Hee-won of the Geriatrics Department at Seoul Asan Hospital; and social psychologist Heo Tae-gyun, providing various inspirations to SME representatives.

Since its inception in 2007, the 'SME Leaders Forum' has led SME policy agendas by addressing and proposing solutions to contemporary issues amid rapidly changing management environments. It is regarded as the premier forum among economic organizations through high-quality lectures in politics and economics and the sharing of experiences and knowledge by opinion leaders.