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Busan Metropolitan City Accelerates Export Growth for Fifth Consecutive Month, Recruits Companies for Export-Import Challenges SME Voucher Support Program

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it will continue implementing the Export-Import Challenges SME Voucher Support Program and recruiting participating companies to assist local businesses facing difficulties amid the rapidly changing global trade environment.

Despite uncertain trade conditions, including global risks stemming from instability in the Middle East and the restructuring of global supply chains, Busan’s exports have continued to rise for five consecutive months.

According to Busan Main Customs, Busan’s exports in July 2026 reached USD 1.389 billion, up 6.0% year on year.

The upward trend began in March 2026, when exports increased by 11.5%, and continued for five consecutive months with increases of 6.5% in April, 16.4% in May, 28.5% in June, and 6.0% in July.

Exports to major destinations also increased, rising by 40.1% to the United States, 24.4% to Southeast Asia, and 19.9% to China. Busan’s trade balance remained in surplus for six consecutive months beginning in February, recording a surplus of USD 118 million in July.

In particular, to address multiple trade challenges this year, including the prolonged war in the Middle East, uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policy, and strengthened protectionism in the European Union, Busan Metropolitan City significantly increased the program budget and expanded the number of supported companies from 100 to 290.

The areas of support have been divided into nine categories based on corporate demand: international transportation; exhibitions and overseas sales; design and video production; overseas standards certification and intellectual property rights acquisition; promotion and advertising; interpretation and translation; carbon neutrality transition; tariff response; and trade insurance and guarantees.

The application process has also been improved to make it more convenient for companies to apply and to enable faster implementation of the program.

Applications, previously accepted at the beginning of each month, are now accepted on a rolling basis. In addition, the number of required documents has been temporarily reduced from 13 to 7, reflecting feedback from businesses.

Busan Metropolitan City has also eased restrictions on receiving overlapping support from similar programs, broadening the range of assistance available to companies.

Companies may apply separately for other overseas marketing support programs offered by Busan Metropolitan City as long as the applications do not concern the same export transaction. For example, even if Company A has received logistics cost support through the Overseas Logistics Cost Support Program for Exporting SMEs, it may apply for logistics cost support under the Export-Import Challenges SME Voucher Support Program for a subsequent, separate export transaction and receive support after review.

Companies wishing to participate may apply through the Busan Export Platform at https://trade.bepa.kr. For further information, contact the Global Business Promotion Division of the Busan Economic Promotion Agency at 051-600-1829.

Kim Gi-hwan, Assistant Mayor of Digital Economy Office, said, “Thanks to the active efforts of local SMEs to expand into overseas markets, Busan’s exports have continued to grow for five consecutive months despite difficult trade conditions.”

He added, “We will continue to pursue practical and highly effective policies that promptly address the difficulties faced by local companies amid an uncertain trade environment and strengthen their export competitiveness.”