[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Kang Eun-jung = The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS)'s "SME and Startup Company Middle East Expansion Support Project" is officially launched.

MSS announced on the 24th that it will begin conducting on-site visits to the Middle East with the 29 companies selected for the support program on the 25th.

This project, jointly implemented by the MSS and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment, aims to support the entry of Korean SMEs and venture companies into the Middle East market and the diversification of Saudi Arabia's industries. To this end, the Saudi Ministry of Investment and seven Saudi government agencies visited Korea late last month and selected 29 companies in four sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology and health. The selected companies will visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for six nights and seven days, participating in meetings with key local organizations, investment promotion briefings, and business networking events.

Moon Byung-joon, Chargé d'Affaires of the Korean Embassy in Saudi Arabia, stated, "Many companies have faced difficulties entering the Saudi market despite their excellent products and advanced technologies." He added, "We will actively support Korean SMEs in entering the Saudi market by promoting and networking locally."

Lee Soon-bae, Director General for Global Growth Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "This project is significant in that it explores emerging markets for SMEs and venture companies through collaboration between the Korean and Saudi governments. We will use this opportunity to expand our support for Korean SMEs in entering new overseas markets."

[Seoul = Newsis] Companies selected for the SME Venture Business Middle East Expansion Support Program. (Photo provided by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups) September 24, 2025. photo@newsis.com *Resale and database use prohibited

Published September 24, 2025, 12:00 PM / Updated September 24, 2025, 12:00 PM

Reporter Kang Eun-jung (eunduck@newsis.com)