중기부, 비대면 '화상 수출 상담회'로 중소기업 수출 활로 연다

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.
Kim Sung-min reports.
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.
To help companies like this one, South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups has come up with a creative solution.
It is an online trade exhibition where firms use a booth and screen to have meetings with foreign buyers.
"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."
Around 400 foreign buyers have cancelled face-to-face product displays and meetings due to COVID-19.
But thanks to this online event, the director of a kitchen appliance company met three buyers from three countries all in the same day.
"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."
From Indonesia to China and Myanmar to Russia, more than 40 companies from 11 countries participated in Wednesday's event.
"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."
To help manufacturers connect with foreign buyers, translators were placed inside each booth.
And the ministry is providing free delivery for samples sent to interested buyers.
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.
Kim Sung-min, Arirang News