Kakao announced on the 18th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMS) and the nonprofit organization Creating a Better World (Social Solidarity Bank) to assist in the digital transformation and revitalization of local commercial areas.
At the signing ceremony held the previous day at the Kakao Pangyo Hub in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, attendees included Kwon Dae-yeol, Chair of the Kakao Corporate Advisory Committee's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee; Ahn Tae-yong, Vice President of the SEMS; and Kim Yong-deok, Chair of the Social Solidarity Bank. The objective of the agreement is to support the digital transformation of traditional markets and commercial districts nationwide and to strengthen cooperation for sustainable growth.
Kakao will jointly promote various digital transformation programs with the SEMS and the Social Solidarity Bank, including ▲ tailored one-on-one digital education ▲ financial support for KakaoTalk channel message sending ▲ online and offline marketing and events. Previously, support was given to individual markets or specific commercial areas, but starting this year, the scope of support will be expanded to regional units such as cities and counties. Through this, the plan is to enhance synergy among commercial areas and establish new programs linked to the community, such as training local youth tutors.
In addition, Kakao will operate a program called 'Market Talk Channel Support' that focuses on supporting selected markets. Details regarding eligible regions and application methods will be announced later on the official website of the Frequent Market.
Since 2022, Kakao has supported digital education and online and offline marketing for over 2,800 merchants across 212 traditional markets and 15 regional commercial areas until the end of 2024. 2,800 KakaoTalk channels have been newly created, and 730,000 customers have registered as friends on the channels. Kakao has received the '2024 Grand Award in Community Co-Prosperity' from the Committee for Co-Prosperity.
Kwon Dae-yeol, Chair of the Kakao CA Corporate Advisory Committee's ESG Committee, noted, "We plan to expand the support scope to regional units so that more merchants can benefit. We will continue to spare no effort in cooperation and support to ensure that small businesses can adapt to the digital environment stablely and grow."