SME Sector Submits Policy Proposals to Government to Improve R&D Field Challenges

Seven Policy Proposals Including Establishment of Industry-Academia-Research R&D Councils

The small and medium-sized business sector has submitted seven policy proposals to the government aimed at improving the administrative burden and structural limitations faced in the field of research and development (R&D). Key demands include the establishment of industry-academia-research R&D councils and support for digital and AI transformation centered on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the 2nd "SME R&D Communication Meeting Opening the Future" held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business

On January 22, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business announced that it had held the 2nd "SME R&D Communication Meeting Opening the Future" at its headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by key figures from the SME sector, including Choi Eunsu, Chairman of the Seoul Central-Southern AI Business Cooperative Association; Kim Gwangjung, Chairman of the Gunsan Shipbuilding and Marine Technology Business Cooperative Association; and Lee Sangho, President of the Korea Autonomous Manufacturing Platform Association. Also present were officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT, including Park Inkyu, Head of the Office of Science and Technology Innovation, and Cho Sunhak, Director of Science and Technology Policy.

The "SME R&D Communication Meeting Opening the Future" has been held regularly since May of last year. This meeting was organized to seek directions for innovation in the R&D ecosystem based on voices from the industrial field.

First, the Ministry of Science and ICT shared the main points of the "R&D Ecosystem Innovation Plan" announced in November of last year, explaining that the entire process-from identifying issues to finding solutions-would be promoted with a focus on field-based approaches.

During the subsequent roundtable, SME representatives delivered seven policy proposals, including: establishing industry-academia-research R&D councils centered on SMEs; supporting digital transformation (DX) and AI transformation (AX) for common SME sectors; launching a new support project for AI autonomous manufacturing demonstration; and alleviating the administrative burden of SME R&D.

Executive Vice Chairman Oh Giwoong stated, "SME R&D faces complex constraints, such as the gap between fieldwork and research, difficulties in securing research personnel, and excessive administrative burden. To vitalize the SME R&D ecosystem, it is necessary to lower entry barriers, improve policies reflecting on-the-ground realities, and expand effective government support."