Yongin City to Support SMEs with AI Export Package... Comprehensive Export Support Plan Established

Connecting Buyers, Marketing Education, and Content Creation Using Generative AI
Expanding Overseas Market Development Delegations to Portugal, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and More

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province will become the first local government in South Korea to support an artificial intelligence (AI) export package, expanding its export support programs for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) this year.

On January 5, Yongin City announced that it has set its policy goal for this year as "Strengthening International Competitiveness of SMEs Based on AI and Digital Technologies." The city will focus on three main strategies: establishing an AI and digital trade support system, strengthening region-based export cooperation networks, and expanding strategic overseas marketing support. In total, the city will implement 12 export support projects this year.

The most notable initiative is the "AI Export Package Support Project," which is being introduced for the first time in the country. In collaboration with the Korea International Trade Association, the city has created a program that supports the entire AI-based export process, including connecting buyers and sellers using generative AI, providing trade marketing education, and producing overseas marketing content.

The city also plans to open a "Yongin City Pop-up Store" in Tokyo, Japan, to promote and facilitate export consultations for SME products.

The overseas market development delegations will also be expanded. The city will dispatch a delegation to Portugal in conjunction with the "2026 Korean Culture Day (Festa da Cultura Coreana)." Additional delegations will be sent to emerging markets such as Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Yongin City will actively promote overseas viral marketing and participation in international exhibitions using its export and promotional brand "YOGO," aiming to diversify promotional channels for consumer goods companies in sectors such as K-beauty and K-food by leveraging the Korean Wave.

Mayor Lee Sangil stated, "Last year, the number of export companies in Yongin reached 2,612, a 2.4% increase compared to the previous year, and more local SMEs are expanding overseas. This year, we will strive to help local SMEs enter the global market and strengthen their competitiveness through highly effective support programs utilizing AI."