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Ministry of SMEs and Startups Recruits SMEs for K-Export Strategic Item Development Program

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on May 29 that it will begin recruiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the "K-Export Strategic Item Development Program."

The K-Export Strategic Item Development Program is an initiative designed to select outstanding innovative K-brand products, which are seeing increasing global demand thanks in part to the global K-culture phenomenon, and support their growth into leading global products. In 2024, the program selected export-promising products from 30 companies in the beauty and food sectors for the first time. Last year, the program expanded its scope to include the fashion and lifestyle sectors, adding products from a total of 80 companies, thereby supporting their entry into global markets.

This year’s recruitment, like last year, targets export items in four major consumer goods sectors: beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and food. Through a rigorous selection process—including a written evaluation of innovation and global scalability, a competitiveness assessment by foreign consumers, and product reviews by global distribution companies and experts—approximately 200 products will be designated as K-Export Strategic Items.

Companies selected as K-Export Strategic Items will receive tailored overseas market entry programs using the infrastructure and networks of partner organizations such as global distribution companies in Korea. In addition, benefits such as priority selection for government export support programs—including export vouchers, overseas certification acquisition, participation in overseas exhibitions and business meetings—and preferential participation in K-brand global expansion projects will be provided for up to three years.

Shim Jaeyoon, Director General for Global Growth Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "The K-consumer goods trend, which began with beauty, has now become part of daily life for people around the world, surpassing a temporary fad." He added, "We will further strengthen policy support so that K-consumer goods from our SMEs can grow into national flagship products driving SME exports in the global market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.