Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Jeju Join Forces for Successful "APEC SME Ministerial Meeting"

To Be Held in September... Seamless Cooperation for Preparation and Operation

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 24th that it has signed a business agreement with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province regarding the preparation and operation of the "2025 APEC SME Ministerial Meeting."

As Korea, the chair of APEC this year, is scheduled to host the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the Ministry will hold the "APEC SME Ministerial Meeting," attended by 21 APEC member economies, at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) from September 1 to 5, prior to the summit.

Noh Yongsuk, Director of the Small and Medium Business Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (left), is posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement for the successful hosting of the "2025 APEC SME Ministerial Meeting" at Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Office on the 24th. Ministry of SMEs and Startups

The upcoming ministerial meeting will focus on the theme of "SMEs as Drivers of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth," with in-depth discussions on SME-led innovation, policy directions for sustainable growth, and cooperation for inclusive growth.

In particular, the Ministry plans to introduce Korea's startup ecosystem and open innovation policies to member economies at this ministerial meeting, and to lead discussions on ways to invigorate cooperation among startup stakeholders within the APEC region.

In addition to official events such as the ministerial meeting and working-level meetings, the Ministry will also link major venture, startup, and small business events related to the meeting's theme, making this the largest event of its kind to date.

Through this agreement, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Jeju Province have agreed to strengthen cooperation on all aspects of event preparation, including creating an international conference environment at the venue, accommodations, transportation measures, publicity, protocol, and personnel support.

Furthermore, events such as the "Challenge K! Startup Opening Ceremony," the "Grand Challenge Showcase," and the "Global Venture Investment Forum," all of which will be held during the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting period, will be organized under a unified brand, providing a platform for diverse stakeholders in the domestic and international startup ecosystems to come together.

The Ministry plans to actively promote the main discussion topics of the ministerial meeting, as well as a variety of associated events and the host city of Jeju, at the APEC SME Working Group Meeting to be held in Japan next month in May, thereby encouraging a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders from APEC member economies to visit Jeju.