The Financial Services Commission and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups co-hosted a kick-off meeting of the consultative body intended to address financing challenges of SMEs along with related organizations and research institutions on April 22. The joint consultative body was launched to more closely examine financing conditions of SMEs and associated risks. FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyun presided over the meeting and spoke about the importance of providing support for SMEs in ways that can help to boost their sales while lowering financing costs. In this regard, Chairman Kim said that the joint consultative body will closely examine financing situations and challenges facing SMEs in major industries and help to formulate more effective support measures. At today's kick-off meeting, participants had discussions on the credit situation of domestic businesses, operating conditions of SMEs and related financial risks, and the financing condition of listed SMEs. The FSC and the MSS will hold consultative body meetings on a regular basis to continue to closely monitor related risks and prepare more effective support measures.