중기부, 비대면 '화상 수출 상담회'로 중소기업 수출 활로 연다<br /><br />Non-contact online platforms have been connecting people in need during the COVID-19 outbreak... and now they are helping South Korean SMEs stay afloat.<br />Kim Sung-min reports.<br />A food company that has created kimchi and bulgogi flavored powders and wants to sell these abroad has struggled to find buyers due to the COVID-19 outbreak.<br />To help companies like this one, South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups has come up with a creative solution.<br />It is an online trade exhibition where firms use a booth and screen to have meetings with foreign buyers.<br />"The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to support non-contact fields in which venture startups take a major role... so that South Korea can lead such non-contact fields around the world."<br />Around 400 foreign buyers have cancelled face-to-face product displays and meetings due to COVID-19.<br />But thanks to this online event, the director of a kitchen appliance company met three buyers from three countries all in the same day.<br />"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, all the regular marketing channels have been blocked... but today I met buyers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and China and two of the meetings seemed very successful."<br />From Indonesia to China and Myanmar to Russia, more than 40 companies from 11 countries participated in Wednesday's event.<br />"It's a very good opportunity. Technically it will be much better if we can have a face-to-face...but as I said, life must go on."<br />To help manufacturers connect with foreign buyers, translators were placed inside each booth.<br />And the ministry is providing free delivery for samples sent to interested buyers.<br />This online trade exhibition runs for 10 rounds in total between April and July, giving more than 500 companies the opportunity to find potential overseas business partners.<br />Kim Sung-min, Arirang News<br />
