Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to prescribe matters necessary for the certification of, and support for, promising small and medium enterprises within the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Government in order to foster them that can lead regional economy by identifying and certifying small and medium enterprises with growth potential within the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Article 2 (Definitions) The terms used in this Ordinance are defined as follows:
1. The term "enterprises within the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Seoul Government")" means small and medium enterprises located in the jurisdiction of the Seoul Government under subparagraph 1-3 of Article 2 of the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Act, among its head office, principal office or places of business;
2. The term "small and medium enterprises" means small and medium enterprises defined in Article 2 (1) of the Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises;
3. The term "promising small and medium enterprises of the Seoul Government" (hereinafter referred to as "promising small and medium enterprises")" means small and medium enterprises acknowledged by the Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor") among small and medium enterprises with good growth, profitability, safety, and productivity along with the excellent technology and quality.

Article 3 (Subjects of Certification) The primary companies subject to initial certification as promising small and medium enterprise shall be small and medium enterprises in the Seoul Government which have high growth potential and are manufacturing or providing excellent products and services as of the date of announcement of the selection plan: Provided, That the subject of re-certification shall be small and medium-sized enterprises in the Seoul Government operating as of the announcement date among promising small and medium-sized enterprises whose certification period is expected to expire in the year of selection or within 30 days after the expiration.

Article 4 (Responsibilities of Mayor) (1) The Mayor shall annually discover promising small and medium enterprises and promote the certification thereof.
(2) The Mayor shall assist promising small and medium enterprises in fostering leading local economy.

Article 5 (Procedures for Certifying Promising Small and Medium Enterprises) (1) The Mayor shall certify promising small and medium enterprises following fair procedures and evaluation with regard to small and medium enterprises within the jurisdiction of the Seoul Government.
(2) Detailed matters, such as types of certification, standards and procedures for evaluation, shall be separately determined by the Mayor.
(3) A certified enterprise may indicate certification, as determined by the Mayor.
(4) If necessary to promote projects under paragraph (1) smoothly, the Mayor may require that relevant affairs be performed by the Seoul Business Agency, or an organization, an institution, etc. on his or her behalf, or entrust such affairs to a third party.

Article 6 (Establishment and Operation of Policy Committee for Certification of Promising Small and Medium Enterprises) (1) In order to deliberate on and coordinate the following matters concerning the certification of promising small and medium enterprises, the Mayor shall establish the Seoul Metropolitan Government Policy Committee for Certification of Promising Small and Medium Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee"):
1. Matters concerning policies for certifying promising small and medium enterprises;
2. Matters concerning support for certified enterprises, etc.;
3. Matters concerning the subjects of certification, certification, and revocation of certification;
4. Other matters the Mayor deems necessary.
(2) The Committee shall be comprised of not more than nine members, including a chairperson; the members shall be any of the following persons, and the chairperson shall be elected by and from among members:
1. Ex officio members: The Director-General of Economy and Employment Bureau of the Seoul Government as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Seoul Business Agency;
2. Commissioned members: Persons commissioned by the Mayor from among members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, business-persons, journalists, professors, and experts from all walks of life and classes.
(3) The term of office for the chairperson and members shall be two years, and their term may be renewed for only one consecutive term: Provided That, the term of office of a member filling a vacancy shall be the remainder of his or her predecessor's term of office.
(4) A meeting of the Committee shall be convened when the Mayor or the chairperson deems it necessary.
(5) Meetings of the Committee shall be convened with the attendance of a majority of all incumbent members, and resolutions shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of those present.
(6) The Mayor may establish and operate a working committee to select promising small and medium enterprises to be certified and to deliberate on certification under paragraph (1) 3, and matters necessary therefor shall be separately determined by the Mayor.

Article 7 (Executive Secretary) An executive secretary shall be employed to handle the administrative affairs of the Committee, and the director of the division in charge of affairs related to the certification of promising small and medium enterprises shall be the executive secretary.

Article 8 (Hearing Opinions) The Committee may require that the representatives, public officials, or experts of relevant institutions or organizations attend its meetings to hear their opinions, or may request them to provide cooperation.

Article 9 (Allowances) Members who attend a committee meeting may be reimbursed for attendance allowances and travel expenses in accordance with the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Payment of Committee Allowances and Travel Expenses, within the budget.

Article 10 (Effective Period of Certification) The effective period of certification under Article 5 shall be three years from the date of certification: Provided, That where the relevant enterprise requests re-certification before or within 30 days from the expiration of the certification period, re-certification may be granted through evaluation.

Article 11 (Support for Certified Promising Small and Medium Enterprises) The Mayor may support the following matters within budgetary limits for promising small and medium-sized enterprises under Article 5:
1. Issuance of certificates and signboards;
2. Publicizing certified enterprises;
3. Preferential treatment for support projects for raising funds for small and medium enterprises of the Seoul Government;
4. Preferential treatment for support projects for overseas marketing of the Seoul Government;
5. Preferential treatment for support projects for technology development in the Seoul Government;
6. Support for strengthening the capacity of and developing the branding of promising small and medium enterprises;
7. Supporting win-win cooperation programs between certified enterprises;
8. Other matters the Mayor deems necessary.

Article 12 (Revocation of Certification) (1) The Mayor may revoke the certification as determined by the Mayor if an enterprise, etc. certified under Article 5, falls under any of the following:
1. Where it has been certified by fraud or other improper means;
2. An enterprise that exceeds the scope of, or has been merged with, a small or medium enterprise after having been designated as a promising small or medium enterprise;
3. Where it is deemed unsuitable as a promising small and medium enterprise due to causing a social controversy, etc.;
4. Where it is unable to engage in normal business activities due to business closure, default, suspension of business, etc.;
5. Where the head office, principal office, or place of business in the Seoul Government is relocated to other areas.
(2) Where the Mayor intends to revoke the certification of a promising small or medium enterprise, the Mayor shall give prior notice to the relevant small or medium enterprise, and shall hold a hearing if requested by the relevant enterprise after having been given notification.

Article 13 (Guidance and Inspection) The Mayor may request that small and medium enterprises submit data on matters of support under Article 11, and may, if necessary, conduct guidance, inspection, etc.

Article 14 (Enforcement Rules) Matters necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance shall be prescribed by rule of the Seoul Government.

ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 8009, May 20, 2021>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Certified Hi Seoul Companies)
An enterprise certified as a "Hi Seoul Company" by the Seoul Business Agency before this Ordinance enters into force shall be deemed certified as a promising small and medium enterprise in accordance with this Ordinance.