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Kakao Impact Foundation   Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS)  Mokpo National University

The learning exchange between Korean and Peruvian partners was organized on 13 December with the aim of exploring expertise from the Republic of Korea and Innovate your Market initiative from Peru in supporting MSMEs through digital transformation, and engaging in substantive discussions on further development and local adaptation of these practices. The event brought together key stakeholders from the Republic of Peru, including UNDP Peru, the Ministry of Production, Municipality of Ventanilla, and the edutech company, Musa, alongside representatives from the Republic of Korea, including USPC, Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS), Kakao Impact Foundation, the corporate foundation of Kakao Corp., and Mokpo National University.

The event comprised two sessions; the first explored the ‘digital transformation of traditional markets’, and the second focused on ‘digital and business capacity-building for small businesses’ in Peru and Korea.

In the first session, Ximena González, Economic Inclusion Coordinator from UNDP Peru, highlighted the Innovate your Market strategy, emphasizing collaboration with 18 municipalities across seven regions of the Republic of Peru. Kenji Alex (Advisor of Technology, Ministry of Production of Peru), Pedro de La Cruz (Economic Development Manager, Municipality of Ventanilla), and Luis Olaya (Coordinator of Innovative Markets, Municipality of Ventanilla) showcased outcomes from the Peru Tech Challenge.

Keon Jeon, Manager of the Business Team from Kakao Impact Foundation demonstrated support for traditional market digitalization through the deployment of digital tutors in partnership with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, SEMAS and the training institution, MK Universe. Finally, Won-Sang Cha, General Manager of the Digital Innovation Business Unit from SEMAS presented the programme from the institution to support digital transformation of traditional markets, which involves cooperative training, establishment of delivery centres, and nationwide delivery infrastructure development., and nationwide delivery infrastructure development.

The second session featured programmes from Peru for digital capacity-building in traditional markets. Valeria Valenza, Technical Assistant from UNDP Peru elucidated details of the curated content and the Digital Buddy Strategy, while Mónica Ramos Li, CEO of Musa, explained the company’s collaboration with WhatsApp.

Seok-In (Simon) Lee, Professor of the Department of e-Commerce from the Mokpo National University showcased hands-on education for digital skills in e-commerce and marketing, while SEMAS detailed an e-learning platform offering courses on various digital and business skills for small enterprises. These presentations collectively underscored diverse and comprehensive approaches to empower MSMEs and traditional markets with digital capabilities.

Carla Zacapa, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Peru, expressed gratitude to the participants for driving positive change with the learning exchange. She conveyed hope that the exchange “can share what has been advanced and how, little by little, we are applying the knowledge shared from both sides”. Anne Juepner, Director of USPC, welcomed participants and emphasized that "inclusive digitalization of MSMEs can only be achieved through meaningful public-private collaboration”.