“Convergence and Innovation~”…‘SME Convergence Expo’ Opens in Gwangju

Job Fair and Export Consultation at Kim Dae-jung Center from 24th to 26th
Kang Ki-jung: "Creativity and Challenge Spirit of SMEs, the Start of Innovation"

On the afternoon of the 24th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung attended the opening ceremony of the '2024 Small and Medium Enterprise Convergence Expo' held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, where he took a commemorative photo with guests including Kim Seong-seop, Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Choi Bong-gyu, President of the Korea Federation of SMEs, Lee Jeong-gwon, President of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Federation of SMEs Convergence, and Shin Su-jeong, Chairperson of the Gwangju City Council.
[Photo by Gwangju City]

The ‘Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Convergence Expo,’ which shares various technological and convergence achievements of SMEs and facilitates information exchange, opened on the 24th in Gwangju.

Gwangju City is hosting the ‘2024 SME Convergence Expo’ at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center for three days until the 26th. The event is co-hosted by the city and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and organized by the Korea Federation of SMEs Convergence and the Gwangju-Jeonnam Federation of SMEs Convergence.

Now in its 11th edition, the SME Convergence Expo is a nationwide touring event under the theme ‘Opening the Future of SMEs through Convergence and Innovation,’ aiming to promote exchange and harmony among companies and exhibit technological and convergence achievements from different industries.

The opening ceremony was attended by about 1,400 people, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Gwangju City Council Chairperson Shin Su-jeong, Deputy Minister Kim Seong-seop of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Choi Bong-gyu, President of the Korea Federation of SMEs Convergence and executives, Lee Jeong-gwon, President of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Federation of SMEs Convergence and member company representatives, and SME entrepreneurs.

Mayor Kang Gi-jung said, “The survival of SMEs means the survival of the Republic of Korea. The creativity and spirit of challenge of SMEs are the starting points of innovation,” adding, “I hope this event will actively promote exchange and technological convergence among companies, create new cooperation models, and serve as an opportunity to discover new markets.”

The event features 239 exhibition booths in general and special exhibition halls showcasing the achievements and various patented technologies of SMEs. There are also job fairs to expand employment opportunities for local job seekers and export consultation booths to support overseas market development. The special exhibition hall presents demonstration products from startups and technology innovation-certified products being tested throughout Gwangju. Additionally, the Casper electric vehicle (EV), mass-produced by Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), is exhibited with opportunities for test drives.

Meanwhile, about 800 SME entrepreneurs from across the country are expected to stay overnight in Gwangju, visit the Gwangju Biennale, and explore local restaurants, significantly contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.