The Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS), an institution responsible for supporting small businesses and merchants during the COVID-19 pandemic period, will celebrate the ninth anniversary this year.
In his New Year’s message, SEMAS Chairman Park Sung-hyo spoked of the Chinese saying “Yujigyeongseong,” meaning that you can achieve a goal if you make strenuous efforts.
Chairman Park said, “Institutions have to lead to internal innovation in accordance with the government’s policy guidelines on high-intensity reform of public entities, and we have lots of tasks, which need to be implemented for the stability of the economy of those in the low-income brackets. Steps will be taken to support the strengthening of the competitiveness of merchants and traditional Korean markets, coupled with digital transformation.”
He called for making SEMAS an institution reborn as a strong partner supporting a sustainable growth of Korean society by letting SEMAS executives and staff members join forces in union.
SEMAS was honored with the presidential prize last year in recognition of making efforts related to policy funds and infrastructure support and the spread of shared growth environment to invigorate small business startups.
SEMAS Chmn. Park Lends Ear to Merchants’ Field Voices
Chairman Park Sung-hyo of the Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) had a meeting with merchant and small business representatives and listened to their voices, at the Daejeon Merchants’ Association on Jan. 11.
The meeting was designed to look at the field of merchants and small businesses preparing for the high season of the Lunar New Year holiday.
SEMAS explained its major steps to support major traditional markets to overcome their crisis and make a leap forward and listened to merchants’ recommendations.
About 30 officials of merchants’ associations in the Daejeon area, including Chairman Koo Beom-lim of the Daejeon Merchants’ Association, participated in the meeting.
Following the meeting, SEMAS officials purchased indoor warming sleepers, gloves, hangwa (traditional Korean cookies) and fruits, examined the situation of the economy prior to the holiday. SEMAS plans to donate the items to welfare facilities in the Daejeon area.
SEMAS Chairman Park said, “SEMAS will aggressively offer digital and online support, such as education, consulting and platform entry and infrastructure buildup so that traditional markets can get a boost on online sales this year and continue to explore ways of invigorating the regional economy through cooperation and shared growth.”
Memorial Services Foods at Traditional Markets Costs Less Than Large-Sized Marts
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) conducted a survey of comparing prices of 37 traditional markets and 37 nearby large-sized marts between Jan. 3 and Jan. 6.
The cost of food for memorial services for ancestors during the Lunar New Year holiday averaged 270,656 won for a four-member family at traditional markets, 58,817 won or 17.9 percent cheaper than those at large-sized marts, which cost an average of 329,473 won.
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