The Public Procurement Service (PPS) has finalized its 2026 support plan for overseas procurement market entry, aiming to significantly strengthen assistance for innovative and technology-leading SMEs to become global players. The overseas procurement market is approximately 13 times larger than the domestic market, valued at around KRW 2,700 trillion, making it a promising alternative for companies facing a saturated domestic market. The number of companies expressing interest in entering the overseas procurement market continues to rise each year, and the PPS is responding proactively to this trend. The new plan focuses on supporting innovative and G-PASS companies, providing concrete strategies to diversify sales channels and enhance export competitiveness.
The PPS will expand the scale of its ‘Customized Comprehensive Support Project for Overseas Procurement Market Entry’ from KRW 880 million in 2025 to KRW 1.8 billion in 2026, raising the support limit per company from KRW 30 million to KRW 40 million and per service from KRW 15 million to KRW 20 million. Support for overseas demonstration of innovative products will also increase from KRW 14 billion in 2025 to KRW 20 billion in 2026, helping companies secure initial overseas performance and cover costs related to export challenges. The number of G-PASS designated companies is expected to grow from 341 in 2016 to 1,501 in 2025, and a new support program will be launched for about 200 new G-PASS companies. The plan also includes expanding networks with international organizations and industry-specific agencies.
To boost the export competitiveness of G-PASS companies, the PPS will provide package support including capacity building, marketing, and dedicated export partners. Step-by-step support will be offered through initial export vouchers, employee training, and a two-year strategic company development program. The G-PASS designation and management system will be redesigned to focus on performance, with comprehensive evaluation of export capacity and achievements during selection and re-designation. Strategic support by industry and market, as well as enhanced operational systems for support projects, will be implemented, with a strong focus on entry into UN and multilateral development bank procurement markets.
The PPS plans to expand export consultation events and support activities, provide broader access to overseas procurement market information, and offer close-knit support to foster real growth for companies. Redundant or repetitive support will be limited to improve efficiency, and collaboration with industry-specific agencies will help discover and support promising companies. Deputy Commissioner Kang Sung-min emphasized the high potential of overseas procurement markets and the growing interest among Korean companies, stating that the PPS will continue comprehensive support to help companies with advanced technologies find new opportunities and achieve results globally. This plan is expected to be a pivotal step for domestic procurement companies seeking to expand internationally.
The PPS’s 2026 support plan marks a significant shift in Korea’s approach to global procurement, emphasizing both innovation and strategic collaboration. By focusing on performance-based management and expanding partnerships with industry experts, the plan is poised to drive technological advancement and export success. Integrating AI-driven analytics and tailored support systems could further enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives, enabling more precise market entry strategies and maximizing the impact of government support.