The Public Procurement Service (Administrator Baek Seung-bo) has finalized the 2026 Overseas Public Procurement Market Entry Support Plan, aiming to help SMEs, innovative companies, and technologically advanced firms grow into global enterprises. The overseas public procurement market, valued at approximately KRW 2,700 trillion—13 times larger than Korea’s domestic market—is increasingly seen as a promising alternative to the saturated domestic market. The number of suppliers interested in entering this market is rising annually, with G-PASS designated companies expected to grow from 341 in 2016 to 1,422 by 2025. The new plan focuses on supporting innovative and technologically excellent suppliers, offering concrete measures to diversify sales channels and enhance export competitiveness.
PPS will expand its specialized voucher program for overseas procurement market entry, raising both the total budget and support limits per company and service. The total budget will increase from KRW 880 million in 2025 to KRW 1.8 billion in 2026, with the support ceiling per company rising from KRW 30 million to 40 million, and per service from KRW 15 million to 20 million. The budget for overseas demonstrations of innovative products will also increase significantly, from KRW 14 billion in 2025 to KRW 20 billion in 2026, helping companies secure early overseas performance records and cover related costs. Technologically advanced companies will receive promotional support through channels like the K-Procurement platform and benefit from additional points in export support programs.
To strengthen the export competitiveness of G-PASS enterprises, PPS will launch a new Intensive Support Program (tentative title), providing around 200 newly designated G-PASS firms with capacity-building, marketing, and dedicated export partnering services. Early export support vouchers, in-service training, and a two-year Strategic Enterprise Fostering Program will be linked to support promising suppliers at each growth stage. The G-PASS designation and management system will be redesigned with a stronger focus on performance, reflecting export capabilities and outcomes more comprehensively in grading and re-designation reviews. The incentive scheme will also be improved to reward export efforts and achievements.
PPS will enhance strategic support by industry and market, leveraging its network with international organizations and whole-of-government cooperation. Focused support will be provided for Korean suppliers aiming to enter procurement markets of organizations like the United Nations and multilateral development banks. Collaboration with sector-specific institutions such as the Korea Health Industry Development Institute will help identify promising companies and link support programs for greater effectiveness. PPS will also expand export consultation events and information provision, streamline support systems by reducing overlap, and reinforce tailored, on-the-ground support. Vice Administrator Kang Sung-min emphasized the high potential of overseas procurement markets and PPS’s commitment to comprehensive support for globally minded suppliers.
PPS’s expanded support plan marks a strategic shift for Korean SMEs and innovative companies seeking global growth through public procurement. The increased budgets and performance-based G-PASS system are likely to enhance export competitiveness and foster sustainable international expansion. By targeting international organizations and strengthening cross-sector collaboration, PPS is positioning Korean suppliers for long-term success in diverse global markets.