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Busan Launches Crisis Response System for SME-Dense Areas - Hosts ICT Industry Focus Group Interview (FGI) Roundtable

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To enhance support for Busan’s SMEs, Busan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) and Busan Technopark (President Kim Hyung-gyun) held an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Focus Group Interview (FGI) Roundtable on April 9 at 3:00 p.m. in Centum Green Tower, a dense SME cluster in Haeundae-gu.

The “Crisis Response System for SME-Dense Areas” project targets industrial complexes, knowledge industry centers, and venture business districts. Its goal is to identify early signs of crisis through:

• ●Data-based economic trend monitoring

• ●Online and field surveys

• ●In-depth expert analysis

• ●FGI roundtable discussions

The project is jointly led by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Busan Metropolitan City, with Busan Technopark as the implementing agency.

As of the end of 2024, there are 87 designated SME-dense areas in Busan. These areas are regularly monitored and categorized into levels of concern. Those identified as “at-risk” receive targeted “stand-up” programs including technical support and commercialization assistance.

Depending on business needs:

• ●Busan City provides support such as:

• ○SME development funds (up to KRW 1.5 billion)

• ○Operating funds (up to KRW 800 million)

• ○Exhibition participation support

• ○Technology material leasing support

• ●Busan Technopark offers:

• ○R&D programs

• ○Industry-academia collaboration

• ○Workforce training and more

[2025 Crisis Monitoring and Response Procedure for SME-Dense Areas]

• 1.Monthly economic monitoring

• 2.Quarterly classification into “stable” or “watch” categories

• 3.Data-based quantitative analysis

• 4.Qualitative analysis through field studies

• 5.Comprehensive evaluation and risk-level determination (biannual)

• 6.On-site validation through a verification team of city officials, Busan Technopark, the local SME support center, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and external experts (5 members total)

If classified as high-risk, additional in-person surveys and interviews are conducted with selected businesses showing abnormal changes in economic indicators.

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As part of this initiative, the latest roundtable focused on the ICT industry cluster in Centum District. Representatives from three local ICT SMEs and industry experts gathered to discuss key issues and practical policy linkages through an in-depth focus group interview format.

Participants included:

• ●Officials from Busan Metropolitan City and Busan Metropolitan Council

• ●Leaders from Busan Technopark, the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency, and the Busan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation

• ●ICT SME representatives

Discussions centered on real-world difficulties faced by SMEs in the ICT sector, and expert interviews explored qualitative insights into business needs in technology, workforce, and policy—ultimately identifying actionable strategies for growth.

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Kim Bong-cheol, Director-General of the Busan Digital Economy Bureau, stated:

“Quantitative data alone is not enough to fully understand the risks faced by companies on the ground.
We will closely monitor these warning signals and build a robust crisis response system linked directly to policy design.
Through close collaboration between central and local governments, we will continue to strengthen the competitiveness of regional SMEs.”

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[Appendix 1] Overview of the ICT FGI Roundtable

• ●Date/Time & Venue: April 9, 2025 (Wed), 3:00–4:30 p.m., 19th Floor Conference Room, Centum Green Tower

• ●Participants:

• ○Busan City (Economic Policy Division)

• ○Busan Metropolitan Council (Planning & Finance Committee)

• ○Busan SME Crisis Support Center (Busan Technopark)

• ○Related organizations: Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency, Busan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation

• ○ICT SMEs in Centum Knowledge Industry Center (3 companies)

• ●Key Topics:

• ○In-depth discussion on ICT SME challenges and response strategies

• ○Discussion of external issues including tariffs (e.g., “Trump 2.0”) and Centum 2 District development