'브랜드K' 최종 품평회...10개 제품 선정, K-바이오도 주목

South Korea's SMEs and startups are looking to sell more of their products to the rest of the world.
More than 150 small companies displayed their best items, hoping to receive the label 'Brand K', an endorsement that their products are good enough to represent Korea abroad.
Kim Sungmin reports.
From everyday items and beauty products to leisure goods like an electric kick board...
More than 150 Korean brands gathered on Wednesday at COEX in southern Seoul to compete for the label 'Brand-K'
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups created Brand-K to support SMEs that make high quality products but lack sufficient brand power.
"Our brand is only 3 years old so even if we put a lot of effort into developing the item, it is difficult to find an export channel. So this is a win-win program where we can introduce South Korea as well as our product."
A hundred citizens, experts and celebrities participated as judges in this event.
"I was surprised as a designer to see some unique products and wanted to buy some of them as a consumer. This place is like a treasure island to me."
This year, the COVID-19 outbreak has brought some changes to the show.
Everyone had to walk through a disinfection air curtain and the event hall was disinfected every hour in between evaluations.
"K-bio products are also on display as the industry has been in the spotlight due to Korea's strong response to the COVID-19 pandemic."
Much attention was given to these products, as well as other COVID-19 related products such as masks and disinfection spray.
Only 100 brands were chosen to receive the label 'Brand-K'... but there is still hope for the dropouts.
"The remaining 50 brands will become "reserved-Brand-K" and can wait for the next round of selection. We will support them so their hopes are not blighted."
Companies selected as one of the 100 Brand-K products will receive various benefits like export vouchers and financial aid.
Kim Sung-min, Arirang News