"Data Is the Key to SME Growth"... Digital Forum for SMEs Held

Co-hosted by the Korea Federation of SMEs and the Korea Small Business Institute
Presenting Strategies and Policy Directions for DX and AX

The Korea Federation of SMEs announced on December 18 that it held the '2025 First Digital Forum for SMEs' at its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.

This forum was co-hosted as a follow-up project to the 'Data-Based SME Policy Development Agreement' signed between the Korea Federation of SMEs and the Korea Small Business Institute in May. It was organized to explore strategies for SMEs to respond in the era of data.

Small and Medium Business Administration, Yeouido, Seoul. Small and Medium Business Administration

The forum began with a keynote presentation by Cho Juhyun, President of the Korea Small Business Institute, titled "Survival and Growth of SMEs through Digital Transformation (DX) and Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX)." The session was chaired by Professor Jeon Jonggeun of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and featured a comprehensive panel discussion with experts from the government, public institutions, and SMEs.

President Cho stated, "The essence of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation lies in data," introducing the concept of the 'AI Flywheel,' a virtuous cycle in which data and AI become the driving force behind SME growth and enable limitless expansion.

During the comprehensive panel discussion, Lee Kyungrok, Head of the SW Convergence Division at the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, and Cho Suwan, Head of the Data and AI Utilization Division at the Korea Data Agency, introduced public sector support programs for building a data ecosystem to facilitate AI adoption by SMEs, and presented strategic directions for SME data strategies in DX and AX.

Baek Byungnam, Executive Director of the Korea Electronics Industry Cooperative; Jeong Heeseong, Director of the Korea Super Chain Business Cooperative; and Yoo Jaekyung, Managing Director of the Gyeonggi Incheon Machinery Industry Cooperative, shared their experiences in promoting DX and AX in the field, emphasizing the need for SME data collaboration centered on cooperatives.

Oh Kiwoong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, stated, "We will actively pursue support projects such as establishing a data integration platform and providing data center services so that SMEs can promote DX and AX based on data collaboration."