A recent ministerial meeting has considered new measures to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are becoming involved in markets in the South East Asia region. The support would involve regional agreements to lower tariffs and facilitate cross border trade. The growing manufacturing sector in the region would benefit from opportunities to more easily access the regional markets. South Korea is therefore planning to broaden the scope of export liability guarantees and to conclude new free trade agreements with countries in the region. The government is also aiming to reach a decision soon on participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.