INCHEON – The Incheon Regional Headquarters of the Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA) announced that it will invest 174.1 billion won (approximately 130 million USD) in 2025 to bolster local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The focus will be on providing financial assistance and fostering growth in key sectors.

A significant portion of the budget, 156.3 billion won, will be allocated for direct loans to SMEs, while 17.8 billion won will be used for interest rate subsidization programs. These initiatives aim to alleviate financial pressures on SMEs grappling with rising labor costs, high interest rates, inflation, and evolving international trade dynamics.

SMBA Incheon will also prioritize supporting export-oriented businesses through its export voucher program. This program offers financial assistance for activities such as marketing, buyer acquisition, overseas certification, and export diversification. The support will be tiered based on the export scale of each company.

Furthermore, the Incheon Headquarters aims to cultivate a thriving environment for young entrepreneurs in emerging industries like bio and medical. The Incheon Youth Startup School will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with workspace, training, and mentorship opportunities.

In addition to financial support, SMBA Incheon will continue its efforts to modernize aging industrial complexes, promote the development of robotics and mobility industries, and identify promising local businesses.

Mo Hye-ran, head of SMBA Incheon, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting local SMEs. “We plan to support necessary projects for local SMEs and increase policy utilization,” she said. “We will actively cooperate with related organizations in Incheon to expand the projects that SMEs need.”

This comprehensive support package from SMBA Incheon is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the competitiveness of local SMEs and driving economic growth in the region.