KaKao

- Kakao participates in the “D4SME” regular meeting as the only private-sector partner from Asia... sharing digital transformation cases for small businesses

- The head of the Bukchon Gyedong-gil Merchants Association shares real-world experiences, calling it “a turning point for local businesses’ digital transformation”

 

[April 11, 2025] Kakao Corporation participated in the OECD Digital for SMEs (“D4SME”) roundtable meeting on April 10 in Paris as the only official private-sector partner from Asia, where it introduced its “Project Dangol” SME support initiative.

 

At the meeting, held under the theme of “Boosting SME Competitiveness through digital and AI adoption,” Kakao presented the achievements of Project Dangol, which supports the digital transformation of traditional markets and local commercial districts. Kakao Project Dangol Lead Kim Eun-hwa presented stating, “So far, we have supported 212 traditional markets and 15 local business districts. Markets selected as outstanding last year each gained more than 10,000 regular customers. According to a joint study by the Small Enterprise and Market Service and the Korea Distribution Association, traditional markets that participated in the project saw a 3% higher average sales growth over three years compared to non-participating markets.”

 

Bukchon Gyedong-gil Merchants Association President Kim Yong-jo, who also participated in the project, followed up to share real-world experiences with government officials, platform companies, SMEs, and academics from around the world. Kim said, “Thanks to Kakao, we were able to secure over 5,000 regular customers in an alley market that once saw 10,000 people a day and start online communication.” She added, “It became a catalyst for transitioning from traditional commerce to digital commerce—merchants overcame their fear of digital tools and gained confidence. I hope this case could spread throughout the world.”

 

Kakao also presented its digital technology-based support strategies for SMEs. Through Kakao’s Dangol Support Center, it provides information on various government support programs and, via its subsidiary DK Techin, operates tech cooperation programs to enhance SME competitiveness. The Kakao Work 2.0 enterprise solution, to be launched this year, will include AI-based work support features, helping SMEs easily adopt AI technologies.

 

Kakao Project Dangol Lead Kim Eun-hwa remarked, “The OECD D4SME roundtable meeting provided a valuable opportunity for our win-win business efforts to gain international recognition,” and added, “We will continue to actively support small businesses so they can grow sustainably in the digital environment.”

 

Kakao has been an official partner of the OECD D4SME roundtable since 2019, consistently sharing various SME support cases using AI and digital technologies. Last year, it introduced digital transformation cases using KakaoTalk channel chatbots. (E.O.D.)

 

 

[Reference]

 

- Check out Kakao’s post regarding the OECD D4SME roundtable meeting via Brunch (https://brunch.co.kr/@kakao-it/483).

 

 

[Photo]

- Caption: Kakao Project Dangol Lead Kim Eun-hwa and Bukchon Gyedong-gil Merchants Association President Kim Yong-jo (second and third from the left) attending the OECD D4SME roundtable meeting held on April 10.