Seungbo Baek, Administrator of the Public Procurement Service, visited the site of an innovative company immediately after taking office, foregoing an inauguration ceremony. At the site, Baek pledged to provide full support for the growth of innovative companies.
On the 14th, the Public Procurement Service announced that Baek's first official activity after taking office was a visit to Angel Robotics Co., Ltd.
Seungbo Baek, Administrator of the Public Procurement Service (left), is visiting Angel Robotics on the 14th and receiving explanations about product development and operation processes from company officials. Photo by Public Procurement Service
This visit was carried out as a demonstration of Baek's commitment to prioritize communication with companies over holding a formal inauguration ceremony. Baek's intention is to actively seek out sustainable economic growth strategies and future growth industries by engaging directly with the field.
Angel Robotics, the first company Baek visited, has developed wearable robots (gait training devices) designed to assist with rehabilitation and treatment for patients with lower limb paralysis and people with disabilities. After being designated as an innovative product in 2021, the robot underwent pilot purchases and demonstration tests by the Public Procurement Service and is now being distributed and used in rehabilitation hospitals and other facilities.
During the company visit, Baek examined the manufacturing process of the wearable robot and confirmed its innovative and public value.
Baek also emphasized the importance of establishing an innovative procurement system that can be tangibly felt by companies like Angel Robotics and stated that unreasonable practices would be eliminated through swift procurement reforms to support the innovative growth of companies.
The Public Procurement Service's innovative procurement system was introduced on a trial basis in 2019 to enable public institutions to take the lead in purchasing innovative products, with the dual goals of promoting the development of innovative technologies by companies and improving public services. As of last year, public procurement of innovative products had grown to an annual scale of 1 trillion won.
Baek stated, "The foundation of public procurement is 'fairness,' where competence and trust are rewarded," and added, "The Public Procurement Service will achieve the goal of 2 trillion won in public procurement of innovative products, included as a national policy task, ahead of schedule by 2028. We will also provide comprehensive support to create future growth engines such as artificial intelligence (AI), bio, and energy through procurement reform."
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