MSS Opens Applications for Export Voucher Program and Global Strong SME Initiative
| Division | Spokesperson's Office | |||
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| Date | 2025.12.15 | |||
| Writer | Foreign Media Spokesperson | |||
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The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that applications will be accepted from 17 December to 9 January for the first round of the Export Voucher Program, as well as for participation in the Global Strong SME 1,000+ Initiative. Both schemes aim to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to expand their presence in overseas markets amid ongoing global uncertainty. Export Voucher Program The Export Voucher Program provides SMEs with voucher-based access to overseas marketing and export-related services, aligned with each firm’s export experience and capacity. Selected companies receive vouchers jointly financed by government support and company contributions, which can be used to choose from 15 service categories, including market research, export strategy development, and product or service branding. In the first round, around 2,000 companies are expected to be selected. Applicants will be grouped into five categories – domestic-oriented, beginner, promising, growing, and strong exporters – based on their export performance in 2025. Voucher support will range from KRW 30 million to KRW 100 million, depending on export scale. For 2026, the program budget will total KRW 150.2 billion, an increase of KRW 22.6 billion from 2025. Taking into account heightened uncertainty in the external trade environment, MSS has advanced the application schedule and plans to implement the program earlier than in previous years. Key Updates for 2026 Integrated tariff-response support In 2026, tariff-response support previously operated as a separate scheme will be incorporated into the main Export Voucher Program. This will allow participating companies to access services such as tariff-related consulting and alternative supply-chain development on a regular basis. Companies using the tariff-response package will be eligible for an additional KRW 50 million, bringing the maximum support per firm to KRW 150 million. Expanded logistics support To ease logistics-related costs, the increased ceiling for international transport support introduced in 2025 – KRW 60 million per company – will be maintained. The scope of eligible services will also be expanded to include comprehensive logistics outsourcing, such as warehousing, delivery, and packaging, as well as international shipping costs for complimentary samples requested by overseas buyers. Companies using international transport services may receive additional support of up to 70 percent, within a KRW 15 million limit. Improved service delivery and procedures As participation in the program has grown, some companies have reported difficulties in selecting suitable services and providers. To address this, MSS plans to introduce an AI-based customized service design tool in the second half of 2026, based on analysis of voucher usage patterns by industry and export stage. Administrative procedures will also be streamlined, with settlement steps for routine items – such as platform subscriptions and online marketing – reduced from four to three to enable faster payments to service providers. Global Strong SME 1,000+ Initiative Applications are also open for the Global Strong SME 1,000+ Initiative, which designates high-potential SMEs with annual exports of at least USD 100,000 and provides preferential access to overseas expansion programs, policy financing, and other forms of financial support in cooperation with more than 20 export-related institutions. Companies are selected across four export tiers. Firms designated as Global Strong or Global Strong+ are additionally linked to support programs offered by metropolitan and provincial governments in their respective regions. Export tiers
How to Apply Companies wishing to apply for both the Export Voucher Program and the Global Strong SME 1,000+ Initiative may submit a single application via the Export Voucher website (www.exportvoucher.com) from 17 December to 9 January. Companies applying only for the Global Strong SME 1,000+ Initiative may apply through the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency website (www.kosmes.or.kr). Further information is available through the Export Voucher Help Desk at +82-55-752-8580.
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