On May 14, the agency visited robotics and biotechnology innovation companies in Incheon to explore ways to support private innovation through public procurement.
Procurement Agency Commissioner Baek Seung-bo visited the company Sheko, which participates in the agency's export-leading pilot purchase program, to observe a product demonstration and discuss regulatory improvements and market expansion strategies.
Sheko's "AI-based Water Purification Robot" is capable of recovering and filtering pollutants floating on the surface of oceans and rivers. The product was recognized for its performance through domestic trials with organizations like the Korea Marine Environment Corporation and Saudi Arabia's ARAMCO as part of the agency's pilot purchase program for innovative products in 2023. This year, the company is negotiating export contracts with several countries, including the United States and Singapore.
"The core of innovative procurement is to validate creative products from private companies in the public market and grow them into global unicorns, with Sheko being a prime example," Baek said. He added, "We will strive to ensure that K-procurement products become the standard in the global market by utilizing overseas verification support and the innovative product pilot purchase system."
Before the site visit, the agency held a "Public Procurement Guide Performance Sharing Conference" at the Incheon Regional Procurement Agency auditorium. The event shared success stories from three novice companies that faced challenges entering the public procurement market and facilitated discussions with seven promising companies currently receiving consulting support.
The Procurement Agency plans to expand its public procurement consulting services based on this conference. It aims to assist companies in entering the procurement market and achieving results through tailored support. The agency previously introduced the Public Procurement Guide Consulting System in 2024 and designated 34 consulting specialists to operate the program.
Additionally, a meeting with MZ generation employees was held that day. Baek stated, "We will make the voices and ideas of employees from the field and the MZ generation a core driving force of our policies."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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