Chairman Kang Seokjin: "New Tariff System Still a Major Crisis for Beginner Export Companies"

Roundtable for Export SMEs Held Through "KOSME on the Move"

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) announced on August 3 that it held a roundtable to listen to on-site challenges faced by beginner export companies, logistics companies, and youth startups.

On August 1, the roundtable took place at the KOSME Global Startup Academy located in Guro, Seoul. This event was part of the "KOSME on the Move" project, which aims to directly hear the voices of SMEs and seek solutions together. Thirteen beginner export and logistics companies, as well as the Global CEO Association?a group of leading export SMEs?attended the meeting. They shared their difficulties and suggestions regarding the recent confirmation and implementation of reciprocal tariffs by the United States.

Chairman Seokjin Kang is listening to the difficulties of export companies at the meeting held on the 1st. Jungjin Corporation

At the site, participants proposed expanding policy support to reduce logistics costs, supporting the export of technology services, assisting with overseas certifications, and strengthening export financing for startups. To minimize the damage suffered by SMEs in response to U.S. tariffs, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and KOSME launched the "Export Barrier Zero Program" in April. In addition, through the supplementary budget, they are swiftly providing emergency trade risk response funds and emergency business stabilization funds via a fast-track process.

At the roundtable, Chairman Kang Seokjin stated, "Although the government's efforts have led to the best possible negotiation results and partially alleviated uncertainties for exporting SMEs, the new tariff system can still pose significant barriers and crises, especially for beginner export companies, logistics companies, and youth startups. Let us work together?both the government and KOSME?to overcome this crisis and turn it into an opportunity to enhance global competitiveness."

KOSME plans to use this roundtable as an opportunity to strengthen organic cooperation between projects and organizations, and to provide a variety of support measures such as consulting and financing in order to respond to the rapidly changing global trade environment.