South Korea's trade ministry has been meeting with representatives from a some 150 mid-sized local firms to help them expand overseas and improve their competitiveness.
The government said Friday that it will pick seven of them with high growth potential that meet the government's industrial standards.
The firms will be provided with support, including the establishment of smart factory systems and extra R&D funds.
More than 80 firms in industries like electronics and cosmetics that have high export potential will be given marketing support of 60-thousand U.S. dollars each.
As of the end of February, around 20 smaller companies had been chosen.