The Korea Small Business Association announced that it hosted a meeting on September 16 with Baek Seung-bo, the head of the Procurement Agency, to discuss current procurement policies and potential improvements with small business representatives.
Attending the meeting were 20 representatives from key sectors, including Kim Gi-moon, the association's president. Baek Seung-bo and agency officials listened to the challenges faced by small businesses and explored ways to enhance their participation in the public procurement market. A significant point of discussion was the need to improve the effectiveness of the single item sliding system, which adjusts delivery prices based on fluctuations in raw material costs.
Small business representatives proposed 23 necessary reforms based on their experiences, including: establishing guidelines for the single item sliding system and adjustment requests for manufacturing contracts; raising the threshold for multiple supplier contracts (MAS); addressing the impact of abolishing MAS contract obligations by local governments; and improving advance payment systems.
Kim Gi-moon emphasized, "Procurement administration is crucial for securing a domestic manufacturing base by purchasing goods produced by local companies, which significantly contributes to the foundation of the national economy. It is urgent to establish a procurement system that guarantees fair prices to prevent excessive price competition from worsening the management difficulties of small businesses and compromising product quality."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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