In recent working tour in Seoul, South Korea, Enrique Jacob Rocha, President of the National Institute of the Entrepreneur (INADEM, in Spanish), participated in the Second Joint Committee of Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, organized in coordination with the Small and Medium Business Administration of South Korea (SMBA).

In the Committee, chaired by Han Jung-hwa, Administrator of the SMBA; and Enrique Jacob, Head of the INADEM, the developments resulting from the First Session held in November 2014 were followed up. Also, following actions were reviewed to work on joint programs that will promote the development of Mexican and Korean SMEs.

Enrique Jacob Rocha said that, through this session, trade ties between the SMEs of the two countries will be strengthened to achieve mutual benefit, promote economic development and the creation of jobs.

"This works will also permit to promote the internationalization of the Mexican SMEs and increase their competitiveness," he added.

Among the topics reviewed on the agenda were included:

  • The incorporation of a link in the SMBA in the INADEM, who will live in Mexico for 18 months, in order to provide consulting for the establishment of new policies in the medium and long term.
  • The support to SMEs for their incorporation into the global value chains through their integration into the factory of Kia Motors in Mexico.
  • The access to consulting, for Mexican SMEs, by Korean experts in technology, production and business management. In the coming days, the recruitment of the first five SMEs to receive these services will begin.
  • The strengthening of electronic commerce among the SMEs of both countries.
  • The promotion of policies for the creation of global companies.
  • The participation in the study of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to explore the ways and means to support the traditional SMEs.
  • The share of the SMBA at the National Week of the Entrepreneur to present successful Korean companies and share their experiences.

Each of the actions to be taken are duly established in the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries, held in 2013.

"Both entities will work on strategies and projects that were raised here to route our SMEs to a thriving path towards the innovation and internationalization with great impact," stressed the President of INADEM.

Also, Enrique Jacob Rocha met with Cho Kang-rae, CEO of Korea Venture Investment Corporation, which assists the SMEs and venture firms on their challenge and success through the expansion of Korean market for venture capital.

Finally, the President of INADEM shared with José Luis Bernal Rodríguez, Ambassador of Mexico in South Korea, the current situation of the Korean SMEs and the opportunities for the Mexican SMEs, highlighting that the cooperation between the two countries will strengthen this important sector.