Samsung Signs Win-Win Agreement with 6,700 Partners... Accelerates Implementation of 5 Trillion Won Social Contribution

Participation of 11 Affiliates Including Electronics, Display, and Electro-Mechanics

Financial Support through 3.5 Trillion Won Win-Win and ESG Funds

Accelerating Shared Growth with Free Patent Access

Samsung has initiated a partnership agreement that extends beyond first-tier suppliers to include second- and third-tier small and medium-sized partner companies, aiming to bridge the gap between large corporations and SMEs and to spread and establish a culture of mutual growth.

On June 29, Samsung announced that it had signed an "Agreement for the Creation of a Win-Win Ecosystem" with first- to third-tier partner companies at the Samsung Electronics Suwon campus.

Approximately 150 people attended the signing ceremony, including Joo Byung-ki, Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission, Roh Tae-moon, President of Samsung Electronics, representatives from Samsung affiliates, Kim Young-jae, President of the HyupSung Association, and key partner company leaders. Notably, 11 core Samsung affiliates participated in this win-win agreement simultaneously: Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDI, Samsung SDS, Samsung C&T, Samsung Heavy Industries, SAMSUNG E&A, Cheil Worldwide, The Shilla Hotels & Resorts, and SEMES.

Samsung stated, "Through this agreement, around 6,700 partner companies within Samsung's supply chain are expected to benefit. Beyond simple business transactions, we have established a foundation to strengthen practical cooperation with partner companies in all areas, including funding, technology, and human resources, and to create a healthy supply chain ecosystem."

In particular, Samsung Electronics included in this win-win agreement the "Support for Second- and Third-Tier Partners and Creation & Operation of an Industrial Accident Fund," which was announced in May as part of the company’s 5 trillion won social contribution pledge, to further underscore its commitment to mutual growth.

The 11 Samsung affiliates plan to expand communication channels with partner companies and continuously monitor the effectiveness of support programs. Additionally, they are exploring various cooperation strategies—including support for overseas expansion and linking to global supply chains—to enhance partners' global competitiveness.

Chairperson Joo Byung-ki, who attended the signing ceremony, stated, "This win-win agreement will open a virtuous cycle in which Samsung’s efforts for mutual growth flow seamlessly to small and medium-sized partner companies. The Fair Trade Commission will also provide strong support to ensure that the efforts of Samsung and its partners bear fruit."

President Roh Tae-moon said, "The current Samsung could not exist without the blood, sweat, passion, and effort of our many partner companies. As a community of shared destiny that grows together, we will strive to build a higher level of cooperation and ensure the warmth of mutual growth reaches second- and third-tier partner companies as well."

President Kim Young-jae commented, "I hope this will be an opportunity for the government, large corporations, and SMEs to join hands and further solidify the spirit of co-prosperity. I am confident that this will serve as the most exemplary milestone for our economy to navigate the global waves through shared growth."

Customized Win-Win Infrastructure for Funding, Technology, and Human Resources

Samsung has decided to further develop its customized support programs in three areas—funding, technology, and human resources—starting from this agreement. In 2005, Samsung Electronics became the first domestic company to pay transaction amounts in cash to small and medium-sized partner companies, introducing a groundbreaking innovation. In 2010, Samsung established the "Win-Win Fund" to provide low-interest loans, and since November 2024, together with Samsung Display, has created a 1 trillion won "ESG Fund" to provide interest-free loans for partner companies investing in improvements to workplace environment safety and energy reduction, among other ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. Through a total of 3.5 trillion won in Win-Win and ESG funds currently in operation, Samsung plans to continue and expand financial support for partners’ facility investments, technology development, and ESG transitions.

Support for technology development at SMEs will also continue. Since 2009, Samsung Electronics has hosted "Excellent Technology Briefings" to help partners secure new technologies, and since 2013, the company has participated in "Joint Investment Technology Development Projects," supporting SMEs’ technology development with a total fund of 50 billion won established in collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Since 2015, Samsung has opened its patents to SMEs free of charge, transferring about 2,500 patents for free as of last year. Together with this, to help first- and second-tier partners safely store and utilize technical data and trade secrets, Samsung provides up to 1 million won per year in technical data escrow fees.

Additionally, based on Samsung’s "talent first" principle, the company will continue to support recruitment, education, and the creation of a safe working environment. Since 2012, Samsung Electronics has hosted the "Samsung Partner Company Job Fair" to help partners secure outstanding talent, and in 2013 established the "Win-Win Cooperation Academy," supporting partner workforce development through three centers: the Consulting Center, Education Center, and Youth Employment Center. Samsung also offers leadership, management, and technology education to enhance managerial, technical, and leadership competencies for partner company employees, including future business leader courses. Moreover, the company provides pinpoint consulting on leading topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), ESG, and automation, and offers some 300 free online and offline training programs annually, helping to improve partners’ organizational strength. Samsung also continues to provide on-site inspections and safety training to help partners build safe workplaces.

Meanwhile, in recognition of these mutual growth initiatives, Samsung Electronics was awarded the highest grade for 14 consecutive years in the "Win-Win Growth Index Assessment" selected by the Win-Win Growth Committee in October last year—the first domestic company to achieve this distinction.

View of Samsung Electronics Seocho Building in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

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