60% of the small and mid-sized enterprises (SME) in South Korea forecast a better management environment for 2010. The industry selected exploring foreign market as the main agenda for year 2010 with four out of 10 SMEs planning to invest more than 20 percent of last year’s profits in 2010.62 of 100 SMEs responded management environment in 2010 will be further improved than the previous year, according to a survey conducted by Maeil Business Newspaper on 100 SMEs between December 23 and 30. Out of the 62 companies, nine respondents were looking forward to posting their highest earnings in 2010 while only eight companies projected a gloomy outlook for 2010.Responding to the question on the proportion of new investment versus earning in 2009, only three SMEs stated that they had no investment plans for 2010. 43 companies stated they would invest more than 20 percent of their earnings from the previous year and 13 companies planned a bold investment of more than 40 percent.The results underlined the SMEs’ determination to make an aggressive investment and expand their shares in the overseas market.The main agenda of SMEs were geared towards advancing into the global market and developing new products instead of embarking on restructuring, changing businesses and securing liquidity projecting a rosy outlook for the market.65 companies opted for the penetration into the global market as their main agenda, followed by developing new products (54 companies), reinforcing their brand image (34 companies), concentrating on research and development (21 companies), investing in equipment (16 companies) and attracting business talents (16 companies).[Written by special correspondents team-Yen-mi Hong/ edited by Soyoung Chung][ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.