Ministry of SMEs and Startups to Identify 'K-Export Strategic Items' and Provide Tailored Support

Fostering Platforms Recognized by the Private Sector, Including TIPS
Award-Winning Products from Various Competitions Designated as 'Export Strategic Items'
Comprehensive Support Through the Introduction of Online Export Vouchers
Establishing Logistics Hubs and Simplifying Customs Clearance

The government is ramping up support to expand online export channels for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It plans to foster competitive online export platforms and identify 'K-Export Strategic Items' to provide tailored support.

Ministry of SMEs and Startups to Identify 'K-Export Strategic Items' and Provide Tailored Support

Hansung Sook, Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, is announcing the 'Measures to Revitalize Online Exports for Small and Medium Enterprises' at the International Postal Logistics Center of the Postal Service Headquarters in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Identifying 'K-Export Strategic Items' Among Hit Products

On November 12, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it held an on-site meeting with companies participating in online exports at the International Postal Logistics Center of the Korea Post in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, and unveiled the 'Measures to Revitalize Online Exports for Small and Medium Enterprises.' This plan includes comprehensive government-level measures to address various difficulties SMEs face in the export process, such as lack of funds, as well as logistics and customs clearance burdens.

First, the government will strengthen support by fostering promising platforms. The aim is to carefully select promising domestic SME platforms that have been recognized for marketability and innovation by the private sector, such as TIPS or companies selected as preliminary unicorns, and subsidize costs for renewal, overseas market research, promotion, and marketing. Up to 100,000 won in policy funds will be provided per company to support the establishment of overseas subsidiaries.

Additionally, the government will work with platform companies to identify promising companies seeking to export. The government will subsidize costs for onboarding and promotion, while platform companies will support global expansion by providing education, consulting, preferential commission rates, and hosting special exhibitions.

'Gobiz Korea,' which currently supports online B2B transactions for outstanding products, will be transformed into a platform that comprehensively supports and manages all aspects of SMEs' online exports. The goal is to offer one-stop services for online export-related information, business applications, and management through this website.

Minister Han Sung-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is announcing the 'Measures to Revitalize Online Exports for Small and Medium Enterprises' at the International Postal Logistics Center of the Korea Post Headquarters in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Next, the government will identify domestic online export strategic items and provide customized support. It will broadly discover and select products with high potential for global market success among outstanding products sold online and offline in Korea, award-winning products from various competitions, and hit products from major events, designating them as 'K-Online Export Strategic Items.'

An 'Online Export Voucher' will also be introduced to support the overseas expansion of these designated products. The voucher will comprehensively support everything from market research and platform onboarding to promotion, intellectual property acquisition, and logistics services.

Furthermore, the government will strengthen the connection between online and offline channels so that promising companies that have proven their marketability online can also expand offline. The 'Offline First Export One-Click Package' program will be introduced to provide a package of support for pre-consulting, marketing, and localization, enabling online export companies to systematically prepare for offline entry.

New Logistics Voucher and Simplified Customs Clearance

The government also plans to actively address the 'logistics and customs clearance' issues, which are cited as the biggest challenges for online export companies. Starting next year, a dedicated track for online exports will be established in the new logistics voucher support program, and up to 30% discounts will be offered when using Korea Post logistics services such as EMS.

To provide stable and rapid logistics services, the government will establish logistics hubs both domestically and internationally. The 'Smart Trade Hub,' an air export logistics center exclusively for SMEs currently being built at Incheon International Airport, will begin full-scale service at the end of 2026. Efforts are also underway to secure dedicated logistics spaces for SMEs at major ports and airports, including Busan Port.

In overseas logistics centers operated by Busan Port Authority, such as those in Los Angeles, USA, spaces and facilities that SMEs can utilize will be secured in stages. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will establish a dedicated cosmetics logistics center in the United States to support K-beauty companies entering the local market with product storage, delivery, and returns processing.

Customs clearance procedures will also be simplified. Led by the Korea Customs Service, efforts will be made to expand the scope of simplified export declarations and improve the e-commerce export declaration system, with these measures being implemented sequentially.

To address the issue of counterfeiting and imitation of domestic SME products, relevant ministries such as the Korean Intellectual Property Office and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will jointly establish a 'K-Brand Intellectual Property Protection Council' (tentative name). Related legislation is also being prepared to provide a clear legal basis for dedicated online export agencies and support.

Meanwhile, at the meeting on this day, a 'business agreement to promote online exports and more for SMEs' was signed between the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Post as part of these measures. The agreement includes: ▲collaborative projects to offer logistics cost discounts for exporting SMEs ▲cooperation in operating the Smart Trade Hub ▲establishment of a joint export consultation desk ▲and expanded collaboration to support online sales channels for small business owners.

Minister Han Sung-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups stated, "We will ensure that SMEs involved in online exports can quickly feel the impact of these measures in the field, and we will thoroughly monitor the implementation process," adding, "Based on the outcomes of these measures, we will also further review ways for Korea to become a powerhouse in online exports."