Brand Support

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Small and medium sized companies struggle to market their high-quality products because of low brand recognition. Some local governments have embarked on helping small businesses by providing support in terms of product design.

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This company specializes in roasting anchovies and pollack in loess kilns. One year ago, the company acquired a patent for its unique drying technology and obtained the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification. The company struggled to sell its products due to low brand recognition until it began to receive support from the Chungcheongbuk-do provincial government in terms of product design last year. Since then its sales have soared more than 30 percent. This social enterprise employing some 60 workers with intellectual disabilities produces toilet paper and gloves. Its sales improved notably since it received design support last year.

[Soundbite] Park Jung-hee (Staff at SME) : "We requested two kinds of product design. Customers seem to like our product packaging."

The government of Chungcheongbuk-do Province has been providing design and brand development support to SMEs since 1994. It has supported more than 1,100 projects since 2005 in terms of product and packaging design and photography free of charge.

[Soundbite] Keum Jung-hyuk (Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government) : "Attractive designs can contribute to promoting product sales."

Such support provided by local governments is vital for small businesses that face difficulties in marketing their products despite their superb technologies and outstanding product quality.