Introduction of the 'Export Baro Program'
Items include discovering alternative markets and securing supply chains
Export voucher support within one month of application
Strengthened cooperation, including professional consultations with the National Tax Service
Since the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum by the United States, cases of damage to exporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as delivery delays and indefinite contract postponements, have been emerging one after another. With the full-scale implementation of reciprocal tariff measures, concerns are growing that the damage caused by tariff burdens will spread further in the future. In response, the government has taken swift support measures, including the introduction of the ‘Export Baro Program’ as an emergency response.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held an 'On-site Meeting with Exporting SMEs' on the 3rd together with the Korea Customs Service to listen to voices from the field and discuss practical measures to respond to the expansion of global protectionism.
According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the 'Customs Difficulty Reporting Center,' which has been operating since February 18, is currently receiving numerous damage reports. In an emergency survey conducted jointly with the Korea Federation of SMEs, 42.8% of respondent companies answered that they have been directly affected by tariffs.
At the meeting, Minister Oh Young-joo of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced two key countermeasures. First, a 29 billion KRW-scale ‘Export Baro Program’ will be launched to provide rapid support to exporting SMEs. This project is part of the Ministry’s export voucher program and applies a fast-track method where support is provided within one month after application. It consists of items that can provide practical help in tariff response, such as discovering alternative markets, securing supply chains, and resolving tariff disputes.
A close cooperation system will be established with the Korea Customs Service. By connecting local SME offices and nationwide main customs offices via hotline, accessibility to customs information will be enhanced, and professional consultations for exporting SMEs will be strengthened through linkage with public customs brokers nationwide. Additionally, excellent companies recommended by the Korea Customs Service will be given priority participation in the Ministry’s export support projects through institutional linkage.
Representatives of SMEs attending the meeting cited lack of information on the U.S. tariff imposition and absence of professional consulting as major difficulties and requested active government support. In response, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Customs Service introduced the current status of online and offline customs information services operated by the government and stated that they will actively pursue matters requiring consultation with related ministries in the future.
Meanwhile, SMEs facing customs difficulties can receive consultations online and offline through the Export Support Center website and 15 export support centers established at local SMEs and startups offices nationwide.
Minister Oh said, "We will solidify the substance of the Export Baro Program and operate it swiftly so that it can be of some help to the export field," adding, "We will maintain close communication with SMEs and the industry and continuously explore cooperation with government ministries."
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