One-Stop Support for SME Export Consortia Expanding Overseas

Support for Participation in Major Overseas Exhibitions and Export Consultation Meetings

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 13th that it is currently recruiting lead organizations to participate in the "2026 Export Consortium Program," which aims to continue the export achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Export Consortium Program supports lead organizations, such as industry-specific associations or groups, in forming consortia with at least 10 SMEs. The government then provides funding for costs incurred at overseas exhibitions or export consultation meetings held abroad.

The support process involves the selection of lead organizations for the export consortium, followed by preparatory activities such as local market research conducted domestically. The selected organizations are then dispatched to exhibitions and other events abroad, and subsequently, a three-stage overseas market development process is carried out, including inviting buyers.

This year, around 1,300 SMEs are participating in 80 consortia. Recently, the ministry also operated a "Middle East Expansion Program" for SMEs in cooperation with the Saudi Arabian government. Despite global tariff barriers, SME export performance in the first half of this year reached a record high in the number of exporting companies and the second highest in export value, indicating steady progress.

The main details of the recruitment for lead organizations participating in the export consortium from 2026 are as follows. First, if a consortium is selected as a promising export consortium, it will be confirmed as a recipient of support for three consecutive years without additional selection procedures. This is intended to give the selected lead organizations ample time for preparation and to enhance their expertise, thereby increasing the success rate for participating SMEs. In addition, general export consortia eligible for support in 2026 may also apply to participate in exhibitions held in the first quarter of the following year. This reflects the fact that some exhibitions with high SME participation demand are held early in the year. The program will also expand into emerging markets, in addition to the main export markets for SMEs. To this end, support will be strengthened for major consumer goods sectors driven by the spread of Korean culture, such as K-beauty and fashion, as well as for new technology fields like tech services.

Lee Soonbae, Director General of Global Growth Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "The export consortium will serve as a direct breakthrough for overseas expansion amid an uncertain external environment," and added, "We hope for active interest and participation from lead organizations so that our SMEs can continue their export success."