The 31st APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting

Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Jeju Province Join Hands for the Successful Hosting of the 2025 APEC SME Ministerial Meeting

Signing of MOU to ensure seamless preparation and operation of the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting to be held in Jeju from September 1?5, 2025

Strengthening cooperation and implementation plans across key areas such as accommodation, protocol, transportation, and promotion

On July 24 (Thursday), the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province to facilitate the preparation and operation of the 2025 APEC SME Ministerial Meeting.

The APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, held annually since 1994, is one of the sectoral ministerial meetings under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and serves as a key platform to discuss pressing issues related to MSMEs across the APEC region.

[Event Overview]

Date/Time/Location: April 24, 2025 (Thu) 11:00?11:30, Jeju Provincial Government Office

Participants: Noh Yong-seok, Director General for SME Policy, MSS; Jin Myeong-gi, Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs, Jeju Province; and other officials

Agenda: MOU signing ceremony, discussion on cooperation details

As the APEC Chair Economy for 2025, Korea is set to host the APEC Economic Leaders" Meeting in Gyeongju later this year. In advance of the summit, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will host the 2025 APEC SME Ministerial Meeting from September 1 to 5 at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC), with participation from 21 APEC member economies.

Themed “MSMEs as Engines of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,” this year’s meeting will center on three major agenda areas:

* SME-driven innovation

* Policy directions for sustainable growth

* Cooperation for inclusive development

The MSS also plans to showcase Korea’s vibrant startup ecosystem and open innovation policies, while leading discussions on strengthening cooperation among APEC startup stakeholders.

In addition to the official ministerial and working-level meetings, the MSS will host a series of related events that align with the meeting’s themes. These include major exhibitions and forums featuring Korean SMEs, startups, and small merchants, making this year’s event the largest-ever APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, with an estimated 5,000 participants. The event is also expected to serve as a global platform to highlight the innovativeness of Korean SMEs and startups and promote the natural beauty, cultural richness, and regional competitiveness of Jeju.

* Related events include:

Technology Management Innovation Expo, APEC SME Innovation Forum, Challenge! K-Startup Opening Ceremony, Grand Challenge Showcase, Global Venture Investment Forum, Climate Tech Startup Forum, and the Together Festival ? totaling 10 events.

Notably, several flagship events including the Challenge! K-Startup Opening Ceremony, Grand Challenge Showcase, and the Global Venture Investment Forum will be held under a unified brand, “Global Startup Day in Jeju,” on September 3?4, fostering a dynamic gathering of stakeholders from both domestic and international startup ecosystems.

The signed MOU outlines cooperative efforts between MSS and Jeju Province to ensure smooth preparations for welcoming ministers and delegates from APEC economies. The two sides agreed to strengthen collaboration across various areas such as:

1. Conference venue setup and international meeting environment

2. Accommodation arrangements

3. Transportation planning

4. Promotional activities

5. Protocol and hospitality

6. Manpower support

Vice Governor Jin Myeong-gi of Jeju Province, who signed the MOU, stated,

“Building on our experience successfully hosting the Second Senior Officials" Meeting and Ministerial Meetings on Employment, Education, and Trade in May, we will thoroughly prepare to ensure the successful hosting of the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting this September.”

Noh Yong-seok, Director General for SME Policy at MSS, remarked,

“It is truly meaningful to host the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting on the beautiful island of Jeju, where pristine nature coexists with cutting-edge industries and competitive local small businesses.”

He added, “This will be the first APEC SME Ministerial Meeting hosted in Korea in 20 years, and we are committed to making it both the largest and the most impactful. We will work closely with Jeju Province to ensure thorough preparations and seize this opportunity to promote Jeju’s image as a hub for SME and startup innovation in the international community.”

Meanwhile, the MSS plans to actively promote the 2025 Ministerial Meeting and its related events at the upcoming APEC SME Working Group Meeting in Japan this May, encouraging participation from public and private stakeholders across all APEC economies.

Source: https://www.mss.go.kr/site/smba/ex/bbs/View.do?cbIdx=86&bcIdx=1058417&parentSeq=1058417