Daegu-Gyeongbuk SME Awards Celebrate 46 Winners Amid Economic Challenges

On July 7, about 160 officials, business leaders and representatives gathered at the Interbulgo Hotel in Daegu for the 2026 Daegu‑Gyeongbuk Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Contest. The ceremony honoured 46 individuals and companies for contributions to regional industry, labor, science and technology, agriculture and employment, presenting awards such as the Euntae Industry Medal, the President’s Commendation, and commendations from the ministries of Science‑ICT, Agriculture and Food, Labor and the Small‑Business Administration.

Daegu mayor Chu Kyung‑ho used the occasion to pledge rapid reform of regulations that hinder SME activity, announcing a “rapid economic response council” to hear on‑the‑ground concerns and streamline rules. Seong Tae‑geun, president of the regional SME federation, noted that “despite high exchange rates, inflation, customs impacts and war‑related uncertainties, the awardees have driven regional growth with innovation.” The event highlighted that SMEs comprise 99.9 % of firms in the area, employ about 92 % of the local workforce, and are seen as the key to Daegu‑Gyeongbuk’s economic revitalisation.