Discussion on Customs Measures at Export-Oriented SME Roundtable
"Making Market Entry Easier for Newcomers... Mobilizing All Customized Support"
On August 6, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups visited the Silicon Two logistics center in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, to meet with representatives of export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and listen to their on-site challenges.
Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, plans to hold a total of 10 on-site roundtable meetings each with the three main policy client groups that are closely related to the ministry's key policy areas: small business owners, SMEs, and startup ventures.
The theme of this policy field tour is "Customs and Exports." Against the backdrop of a complex environment where export-oriented SMEs are facing crises due to the recent rise of protectionism, while also encountering new opportunities based on K-Soft Power, the tour was organized to devise measures that will enable SMEs to respond swiftly to these circumstances.
Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, is giving a welcoming speech at the "2nd SME Policy Field Tour" held on the 6th at Silicon Two in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. Ministry of SMEs and Startups
Before the roundtable, Minister Han visited the cosmetics export preparation site at the Silicon Two logistics center. Silicon Two currently serves as a hub for exporting domestic K-Beauty brands, which are the top export category among SMEs. Through this site visit, the minister reviewed the overall K-Beauty sector, including the export preparation process.
During the subsequent roundtable with export-oriented SMEs, participants discussed the difficulties faced by SMEs in the changed export environment, such as issues with product categories and mutual tariffs, despite the fact that customs negotiations have created conditions that are equal to or more favorable than those of major countries. One SME representative at the meeting said, "It is fortunate that the customs negotiations have been successfully concluded, but the burden of the remaining 15% tariff is still a reality," and requested, "Please establish effective support measures to minimize the impact of tariffs on export-oriented SMEs."
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups stated that it has been focusing on various policy measures to minimize tariff damage to export-oriented SMEs, including operating the "Export Baro" program using export vouchers and providing emergency management stabilization funds. The ministry also announced that it will mobilize all available resources to actively support SMEs in overcoming tariff issues.
Minister Han said, "We will continue to fully utilize all available channels, including associations and organizations, to promptly provide SMEs with the customs information they need, and we will devise measures to promote online exports so that even beginner exporters can easily access overseas markets."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
