Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) received a major boost on December 7, 2025, as a series of new partnerships were unveiled linking Seoul, New York and Korean‑American business networks across the United States.
The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) confirmed it has signed a business agreement with the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce to support Korean SMEs’ entry into the New York metropolitan area, while U.S.-based KACCUSA (Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA) highlighted outcomes from its 2025 Business Summit held at KBIZ’s DMC Tower in Seoul. [1]
Taken together, the announcements signal a coordinated public–private and cross‑border push to turn growing global demand for K-food, K‑beauty and other Korean consumer goods into sustained, large‑scale U.S. market expansion for SMEs. [2]
New KBIZ–Greater New York Chamber MOU Targets the New York Metro Market
KBIZ (also known as the Korea Federation of SMEs) revealed that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce at its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on December 5, with the agreement officially announced on December 7. [3]
Who was at the table
According to Korean media reports, the signing ceremony brought together senior leaders from both sides and key Korean‑American business figures, including: [4]
- Kim Ki‑moon, Chairman of KBIZ
- Mark Jaffe, President of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce
- Bae Jo‑ung, Senior Vice Chairman of KBIZ
- Kang Dong‑han, Vice Chairman of KBIZ
- Hwang Byung‑goo, President of KACCUSA
- Kim Mi‑kyung, Chairwoman of KACCUSA
- John Park, KACCUSA spokesperson
Their presence underlines that the deal is not just a one‑off photo op between two organizations, but part of a broader effort to connect domestic Korean SME infrastructure, U.S. local business institutions and Korean‑American networks into a single pipeline.
What the MOU actually covers
Details released on December 7 show that the KBIZ–New York Chamber agreement centers on three practical pillars: [5]
- Buyer and investor discovery in the New York metro area
- Joint efforts to identify retailers, distributors and institutional buyers that are open to sourcing Korean SME products.
- Support for attracting investors interested in Korean consumer brands, tech‑enabled SMEs and niche manufacturers.
- Business networking between Korean and U.S. companies
- Co‑hosted networking events and delegations in New York and Seoul.
- Matchmaking programs to connect SME founders with U.S. partners, advisors and service providers (logistics, legal, marketing).
- Market and policy intelligence sharing
- Regular exchange of information on U.S. market trends, regulatory changes and trade policy affecting SMEs.
- Support for Korean companies grappling with evolving U.S. tariff rules and compliance requirements.
KBIZ chairman Kim Ki‑moon noted that demand for products from Korean SMEs — especially “K-food, K‑beauty and K‑goods” — has risen sharply in the U.S., and said the federation expects the agreement to expand opportunities for SMEs in New York, the largest consumer market in the United States. [6]
Seoul’s 2025 Business Summit Connects SMEs with Korean‑American Networks
The MOU announcement comes just days after the 2025 Business Summit in Seoul, organized by the Federation of Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the U.S. — widely known as KACCUSA.
High‑level business summit at KBIZ DMC Tower
On December 5, 2025, KACCUSA held the summit at DMC Hall on the 4th floor of the KBIZ DMC Tower in Sangam‑dong, Seoul, in partnership with its Korea chapter. [7]
Key facts about the summit:
- Hosted by KACCUSA, an umbrella group of more than 70 regional Korean‑American chambers of commerce representing a large base of Korean‑American businesses across the U.S. [8]
- Positioned as an “exclusive forum for business leaders from the U.S. and Korea” to explore cooperation and growth across multiple industries. [9]
- Featured sessions on:
- U.S. investment opportunities
- Visa and immigration issues for entrepreneurs and key staff
- The U.S. economic outlook and sector‑specific demand trends
Messages from Seoul: private‑sector cooperation and “Korea‑friendly” legislation
In remarks reported by Korean media and KACCUSA’s own bulletin, KACCUSA president Hwang Byung‑goo pledged that the organization would: [10]
- Support Korean SMEs entering the U.S. market in close cooperation with Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS).
- Leverage relationships with U.S. state‑level Departments of Commerce to help companies navigate local regulations and incentive programs.
Kim Kyung‑hyeop, Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency, emphasized that private‑sector Korea–U.S. economic cooperation is essential, and expressed hope that KACCUSA would work with other Korean and Korean‑American groups to back legislation and policies favorable to Korean businesses. [11]
At the summit, organizers also introduced KACCUSA’s structure and upcoming programs, highlighting plans to turn its diaspora network into a more formal bridge for SME exports, investments and policy advocacy.
Why the U.S. — and New York — Matter So Much for Korean SMEs
The timing of these announcements is not accidental. The U.S. is already the single most important export destination for Korean SMEs, and recent data suggest that role is growing:
- In 2023, South Korean SMEs exported around USD 111.8 billion worth of goods globally, maintaining a high base despite a slight year‑on‑year decline. [12]
- By the first half of 2025, the United States remained the top SME export market, with shipments hitting a record USD 9.33 billion, driven by sectors such as cosmetics, used cars and niche manufactured goods. [13]
- Government data show that SMEs now account for over 70% of Korea’s cosmetics exports — and Korea is currently one of the leading cosmetics suppliers to the U.S., where “K‑beauty” has become a mainstream category. [14]
At the same time, U.S. tariffs and trade tensions have increased the difficulty of doing business for smaller exporters:
- A survey by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and KOSME found that more than 60% of Korean SMEs exporting to the U.S. reported negative impacts from recent tariffs, and identified logistics support, policy financing and tariff information services as top priorities. [15]
- In response, the Korean government announced a USD 3.4 billion relief package featuring new export vouchers, logistics subsidies and K‑beauty export hubs to help SMEs stay competitive. [16]
Against this backdrop, the KBIZ–New York Chamber MOU and the KACCUSA Business Summit are designed to provide something government policy alone cannot: direct, relationship‑driven access to buyers, investors, chambers and policymakers inside the U.S. market — particularly in New York.
What the New Partnerships Promise for SME Exporters
While detailed program calendars will roll out over time, the framework unveiled on December 7 already points to several concrete benefits for Korean SMEs eyeing the U.S.
1. Easier access to buyers and capital in New York
Under the MOU, KBIZ and the Greater New York Chamber will cooperate to identify retail and wholesale buyers, importers and investors in the New York metropolitan area, one of the most crowded and competitive consumer markets in the world. [17]
For SMEs, this can mean:
- Participation in targeted buyer meetings and pitch sessions, rather than generic trade fairs.
- Introductions to local distributors, online retailers, ethnic retail chains and mainstream big‑box players that are already actively stocking Korean products.
- Opportunities to meet angel investors and funds interested in K‑brands, lifestyle products and tech‑enabled SMEs.
2. Richer networking via Korean‑American chambers
Through KACCUSA’s network of regional Korean‑American chambers and affiliation with partners like IGN (Innovation Growth Network), Korean SMEs gain access to on‑the‑ground communities that understand both Korean business culture and local U.S. regulations. [18]
Examples already on the calendar include:
- A KACCUSA/IGN collaboration roundtable in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 12, 2025, targeting regional partnerships and supply chain links beyond the coastal hubs. [19]
These engagements complement flagship events like the World Korean Business Convention and regional diaspora forums, turning them into consistent pipelines rather than one‑off networking opportunities. [20]
3. Policy and regulatory navigation
Both the summit and the MOU stress information‑sharing on U.S. market conditions and policy trends. In practical terms, that means SMEs can expect: [21]
- Briefings on tariff changes, labeling rules, safety standards and state‑level regulations.
- Guidance on visa pathways for company founders, sales staff and engineers who need to spend time in the U.S. market.
- Dialogue channels through which KACCUSA and KBIZ can relay SME concerns to Korean and U.S. policymakers, especially around tariffs and market access.
4. A pipeline that runs through 2026 and beyond
The December announcements build on earlier steps taken in 2025. In August, KBIZ and KACCUSA signed a separate MOU in Las Vegas to co‑host the K‑Goods Fair 2026, a large‑scale exhibition that will bring Korean SMEs and U.S. buyers together in one of the world’s busiest trade show cities. [22]
That exhibition will:
- Follow on from USD 49.9 million in on‑site contracts generated at a World Korean Business Convention in Atlanta earlier this year. [23]
- Provide a direct export platform for K‑beauty, K‑food and other consumer‑oriented startups and SMEs.
- Be supported by briefing sessions and strategy seminars at KBIZ’s Seoul headquarters and regional forums such as the Jeju Leaders Forum, helping firms prepare in advance. [24]
When combined with the New York Chamber MOU announced on December 7, Korean SMEs could soon have a continuous ladder of support: discovery and education at home, matchmaking and networking through diaspora chambers, and large‑scale exposure at U.S. fairs and conventions.
How Korean SMEs Can Position Themselves Now
For SME founders and export managers, the new deals are not just diplomatic milestones — they are practical signals about how to position for 2026.
Action points for Korean SMEs
- Engage early with KBIZ’s export and U.S. entry programs
- Many of the future buyer missions and briefings will likely be coordinated through KBIZ’s existing export support departments and regional offices.
- Leverage KACCUSA and regional Korean‑American chambers
- Companies with diaspora ties or existing customers in the U.S. can strengthen those channels by working through local Korean‑American chambers aligned with KACCUSA.
- Prepare for New York–specific demands
- The New York market is price‑sensitive, brand‑driven and highly regulated. SMEs will need:
- Localized branding and packaging
- Robust logistics and after‑sales support
- Compliance with city and state rules, especially in food, cosmetics and health‑related categories.
- The New York market is price‑sensitive, brand‑driven and highly regulated. SMEs will need:
- Build resilience against tariff and policy shocks
- The recent tariff episodes show how quickly conditions can change. SMEs that combine government relief tools (like export vouchers) with private‑sector partnerships (chambers, buyers, diaspora networks) will be better placed to adapt. [25]
Outlook: From Memorandums to Measurable Results
The announcements on December 7, 2025 do not, by themselves, guarantee a surge in exports. Their impact will ultimately be judged by metrics such as:
- The number of SMEs that successfully enter or scale in the U.S.
- Growth in SME exports to the U.S., beyond the current record levels. [26]
- How effectively Korean SMEs can weather ongoing tariff and regulatory uncertainty while maintaining competitiveness. [27]
But the direction of travel is clear:
- KBIZ is moving beyond traditional trade promotion to build deep partnerships with U.S. business institutions.
- KACCUSA is evolving from a diaspora networking body into a strategic connector for SME globalization.
- New York, backed by upcoming showcases like Las Vegas’ K‑Goods Fair 2026, is being positioned as a front door for Korean innovation into the U.S. consumer market. [28]
References
1. www.etnews.com, 2. www.etnews.com, 3. www.etnews.com, 4. www.etnews.com, 5. www.etnews.com, 6. www.etnews.com, 7. kaccusa.us, 8. kaccusa.us, 9. kaccusa.us, 10. www.mk.co.kr, 11. www.mk.co.kr, 12. www.korea.net, 13. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com, 14. www.korea.net, 15. koreatechdesk.com, 16. koreatechdesk.com, 17. www.etnews.com, 18. kaccusa.us, 19. www.ignkaccusa.com, 20. kaccusa.us, 21. www.etnews.com, 22. koreatechdesk.com, 23. koreatechdesk.com, 24. koreatechdesk.com, 25. koreatechdesk.com, 26. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com, 27. koreatechdesk.com, 28. www.etnews.com
