The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 29th that it will implement the integrated announcement of small business support projects and loans for 2026 early and actively promote policy projects to support the management recovery and sustainable growth of small business owners.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 2026 budget for small businesses has been allocated a record 5.4 trillion won. Of this, aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners can directly support 26 projects across seven sectors, totaling 1.341 trillion won, an increase of 524 billion won from the previous year. Policy funding is comprised of 11 projects across three sectors, totaling 3.362 trillion won.
Key areas of support include fostering entrepreneurial small business owners, supporting their growth, providing specialized support for small businesses, revitalizing local markets, strengthening digital capabilities, alleviating management burdens, and supporting recovery efforts. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to focus on addressing financing challenges faced by general small business owners, enhancing access to financial services for the financially vulnerable, and fostering the growth of promising small business owners.
A total of KRW 930.6 billion will be allocated to strengthen safety nets and encourage re-challenge. KRW 579 billion will be allocated for business stabilization vouchers, which can be used to cover electricity and gas bills and the four major insurance premiums. These vouchers will be distributed to approximately 2.3 million small businesses with annual sales of less than KRW 104 million, with up to KRW 250,000 per business. The Hope Return Package budget will be expanded to KRW 305.6 billion, an increase of KRW 60.6 billion from the previous year. These initiatives include raising the limit on store demolition costs, linking businesses to employment opportunities, and easing the burden on businesses seeking to re-enter the market.
In the policy financing sector, support for small businesses outside the metropolitan area and in declining population areas will be strengthened, with over 60% of total funding allocated to these areas and interest rate cuts provided. Refinancing requirements for small businesses with medium and low credit scores will be relaxed, broadening the scope of eligible debt, and the refinancing limit for household loans for business purposes will be raised. Tailored financing support for export-focused small businesses and those engaged in digital and online businesses will also be strengthened.
To stimulate consumption and revitalize commercial districts, Onnuri Gift Certificates will be issued in a 5.5 trillion won scale, and the structure will be reorganized around digital gift certificates. Commercial district development policies reflecting regional characteristics will also be implemented, with new or expanded programs targeting global commercial districts, local hub commercial districts, and promising alleyway businesses.
In the area of growth support, new initiatives will be introduced, including AI support and a global small business development program. AI support will support cost reductions and improved operational efficiency, while the global small business development program will support the transformation of export-oriented brands and overseas expansion.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to strengthen AI and digital transformation elements throughout this policy and expand the non-face-to-face application process for policy funds to improve accessibility. It will also pursue improvements to the digital financial environment, including including internet-only banks as agents for policy fund lending.
Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook stated that she is focusing on providing practical support to help small business owners adapt to the changing business environment and grow, and that she will create tangible results by linking artificial intelligence and digital transformation to the field.
This integrated announcement and detailed business information can be found on the website of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the website of the Small and Medium Business Corporation , and Small Business 24 .
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