The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) plan to launch a “voucher project” to give a leg-up to SMEs and middle market exporters, who are grappling with the U.S. tariffs.
MOTIE and KOTRA are planning to hold an online explanation session on the voucher project on April 9.
The latest move came as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a plan to impose a 25 percent reciprocal tariff against Korea.
MOTIE and KOTRA said “119 Comprehensive Support Center Designed to Take Countermeasures against Tariffs” has been expanded. It has been in operation since April 2.
The exclusive call center and the online tariff confirmation system have been in place to nimbly help exporters deal with field complaints and grievances.
MOTIE and KOTRA have held a series of sessions to explain countermeasures to minimize the impact of U.S. tariffs by touring each region since March.
As part of the countermeasures, the voucher project designed to help SMEs and middle market exporters will be launched.
Nine years have passed since MOTIE inaugurated the first export voucher project in 2017.
The export voucher projects have evolved into a general export voucher program targeting SMEs and middle market companies, and another export voucher program exclusively supporting export logistics costs.
Under the tariff vouch project, which is different from the conventional voucher programs, Korean SME and middle market exporters will be offered analyses on the impacts of the tariffs and consulting services on countermeasures available to them through the use of local tariff and legal experts, explored by KOTRA overseas trade offices in foreign countries.
MOTIE, KOTRA and Local Govts. Operate One Team to Attract FDI
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) held a workshop to attract foreign direct investments in cooperation with local governments and related organizations at Glad Yeouido Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on March 4.
The workshop took place to ramp up a cooperative system as one team among the government, Invest KOREA and local governments to attract FDIs.
The government has been strengthening incentives to foreign investors to spur FDIs.
A revision of related laws, made in early 2025, has reduced foreign investment companies’ burden by raising the cap of cash incentives and the portion of government financial support.
It has made its utmost to improve the overall investment environment, such as settlement conditions through on-the-spot inspection.
The workshop served as an opportunity to share the government’s policies and local governments’ demands.
The session proceeded on topics, such as the revision of laws related to FDI investment environment, ways of promoting cooperation among the central government, Invest KOREA and local governments, and local governments’ strategies of attracting FDIs on semiconductors, AI and quantum technology.
A view of “Korea Pavilion” for 48 Korean SMEs, opened by KOTRA, at Vietnam International Trade Fair 2025, which took place at the International Center of Exhibition in Hanoi form April 2 to April 4. (Photos: KOTRA)
48 Korean SMEs Participate in ‘Korea Pavilion’ at Vietnam Expo 2025
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) opened the “Korea Pavilion” for 48 Korean SMEs at Vietnam International Trade Fair 2025 (Vietnam Expo 2025), which is the Southeast Asian country’s largest exhibition. It took place at the Internation Center of Exhibition in Hanoi form April 2 to April 4.
Some 320 companies from 17 countries, including Korea, China and Cuba, participated at Vietnam Expo 2025, the 34th rendition.
KOTRA operated “Korea Pavilion” at Vietnam Expo 2025 for the 26th consecutive year since 1999.
Forty-eight Korean companies specializing in cosmetics, food/beverage drink, materials/equipment, and fashion products accounted for some 80 percent of the Korean exhibitors.
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