SME Global Expansion Support Needs Stage-Based Systematization

South Korea's remarkable achievements in global markets are the fruit of symbiosis between large corporations' pioneering challenges and SMEs' dedication. Innovative SMEs have built the core of global supply chains together as reliable partners of large enterprises, supporting the roots of manufacturing. Within this collaborative ecosystem, approximately 42.3% of INNOBIZ companies have grown into key pillars of our economy, operating on the global stage. Now, SME exports are advancing beyond simple goods exchange to higher stages of "technology transfer" and "global open innovation" based on unparalleled technological capabilities.

The government has served as precious "priming water" helping companies expand overseas through various forms including export vouchers and overseas marketing support. This multifaceted government support has been a strong foundation enabling domestic companies to take their first courageous steps in unfamiliar environments. However, with the global environment changing rapidly, this is a critical moment to shift the policy paradigm toward "linear support" that connects individual achievements into one continuous system. The "Act on Promotion of SME Exports and Overseas Expansion" recently proposed in the National Assembly holds great significance in establishing a solid and sustainable legal foundation for domestic SMEs to expand globally.

It is particularly encouraging that this bill expands the definition of exports from goods-focused to include "intangibles" such as AI solutions and technology services. This accurately reflects the latest industrial trends where AI and intellectual property have become core competencies beyond visible product sales.

This change will serve as a valuable foundation for building "package-type infrastructure" that integrates and systematizes fragmented support measures so that the unparalleled technologies of our innovative companies are rightfully recognized as export achievements and can generate powerful synergies.

According to a recent global expansion survey conducted by INNOBIZ Association, our innovative companies desire specific and specialized policies covering the entire expansion process, including local funding support (54.2%), local certification acquisition (41.5%), and logistics and customs support (42.3%). This is because despite high domestic recognition and long business histories, they are no different from startups when venturing into the unfamiliar waters of overseas markets.

Therefore, future support policies must be more precisely connected to match companies' growth stages and target countries' characteristics. We must systematize seamless "linear support" from preparation to settlement and expansion stages, and urgently establish "field-centered response systems" tailored to each country's regulations and circumstances. The full-cycle support and data-based surveys contained in the "Act on Promotion of SME Exports and Overseas Expansion" currently proposed in the National Assembly will serve as excellent guides for implementing these field needs into policy.

Sophisticated navigation equipment is essential for aircraft to safely operate along invisible airways. The same applies to our SMEs' global expansion. Even with excellent technology, they need reliable "global export navigation" to guide them to their destination while avoiding rough waves and complex regulations. I hope this bill crosses the National Assembly threshold and becomes a reliable navigation system for domestic companies. INNOBIZ Association will also go beyond being a mere policy beneficiary to become the most trusted navigator helping expand the global territory of Korean SMEs, gladly accompanying the government and National Assembly on this journey.