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Busan Metropolitan City Recruits Participating Companies for the “2026 Overseas Branch Office Support Program” … Strengthening Customized Support for Local SMEs

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Busan Metropolitan City, under Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk, and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency, headed by President Song Bok-cheol, announced that they will recruit participating companies for the “2026 Overseas Branch Office Support Program” until June 1 in order to strengthen the global competitiveness of local SMEs and support their stable expansion into overseas markets.

The program was designed to support local SMEs experiencing difficulties in establishing their own overseas networks amid the global economic slowdown and changes in the international trade environment. It targets companies selected for the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)’s “Overseas Branch Office” and “Emergency Branch Office” programs.

The “Overseas Branch Office Program” supports the export and marketing activities of SMEs lacking an overseas market entry foundation by allowing them to utilize KOTRA overseas trade offices as if they were local branch offices.

Through the program, companies receive close support throughout the entire overseas market entry process, including participation in exhibitions, logistics and customs consulting, support for overseas business trips, and assistance in obtaining local certifications and permits.

The “Emergency Branch Office Program” provides intensive short-term support for companies requiring urgent assistance due to unexpected situations involving language barriers, local laws, or contract issues prior to concluding export contracts.

This year, approximately 38 companies will be supported. Busan Metropolitan City plans to invest a total project budget of KRW 66.5 million to support around 30 companies through the general Overseas Branch Office Program and around 8 companies through the Emergency Branch Office Program.

Under the Overseas Branch Office Program, a portion of the participation fee, ranging from KRW 2.4 million to KRW 5 million, will be subsidized for one region per company. New participants with no prior support history under the same program over the past three years will receive support covering 70 percent of the participation fee, while returning participants will receive 50 percent support, thereby easing the financial burden on companies.

In addition, companies participating in the Emergency Branch Office Program will receive support of up to KRW 1 million out of the participation fee ranging from KRW 600,000 to KRW 1.3 million.

Last year, the program supported a total of 39 companies in entering 26 regions across 19 countries worldwide and achieved export contract outcomes totaling approximately USD 4.85 million, equivalent to about KRW 7.2 billion, through 107 export contracts.

In particular, the CEO of K Trading Company, a steel export firm, stated, “The customized support provided through KOTRA’s branch office program was tremendously helpful,” adding, “Through the program, we were able to pursue an export contract in Panama worth USD 500,000, approximately KRW 750 million.”

Eligible applicants are SMEs located in Busan with annual export performance of USD 30 million or less in the previous year. Companies wishing to apply may submit their applications online through the Busan Export Platform at http://trade.bepa.kr by June 1.

Detailed information regarding the program is available on the Overseas Branch Office Program website at www.exportvoucher.com/jisahwa.

For further inquiries, applicants may contact the Busan Economic Promotion Agency at +82-51-600-1823 or the KOTRA Busan Support Group at +82-51-740-4142.

Kim Bong-cheol, Assistant Mayor of Digital Economy Office, stated, “Under the current global trade environment, it is not easy for local SMEs to independently develop overseas markets,” adding, “Through this Overseas Branch Office Support Program, we will actively support export beginners and promising SMEs in Busan so they can fully utilize KOTRA’s local infrastructure and grow into globally competitive hidden champions.”