Seoul Gangseo-gu Takes Action to Revive Local Economy Hit by COVID-19 Impact

Published 26 Feb.2020 08:27(KST)

Gangseo-gu Operates COVID-19 Damage Business Reporting Center... Designated and Managed as a 'Clean Market' for Safe Visits After Disinfection... Rapid Execution of Local Finance and Local Tax Support

Seoul Gangseo-gu Takes Action to Revive Local Economy Hit by COVID-19 Impact

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Noh Hyun-song) announced that it will carry out various support projects to revive the local economy, which has been stagnated due to the impact of COVID-19.

The district operates a COVID-19 Damage Report Center until the situation ends, providing consultations related to damages and guidance on corporate support systems.

In addition, for small business owners (small and medium enterprises) affected by COVID-19, the required time for emergency fund support has been shortened from the previous 30 days to 20 days, with support up to 100 million KRW.

The district also alleviates residents' anxiety by promoting disinfection of multi-use facilities.

Disinfection and sterilization have been completed at 11 traditional markets and the Gangseo Distribution Complex in the area, distributing 7,000 masks and 210 hand sanitizers. Markets that have completed disinfection have been designated as ‘Clean Markets’ where visitors can feel safe.

To prevent market order disruption in advance, the district cracks down on hoarding of masks and other quarantine supplies mainly by small wholesale stores and e-commerce companies, and continuously conducts price surveys.

Measures to revitalize the local economy to stimulate domestic demand have also been introduced.

To ease the difficulties of small business owners operating restaurants, companies within the district that operate in-house dining facilities (60 locations, 40,000 people) are encouraged to implement at least two voluntary closure days per month for dining facilities and to use local restaurants.

Also, as part of revitalizing the local economy, to support local flower farms struggling with product sales, fresh flowers are purchased at least once a week, and office environments are maintained.

The district encourages market usage activation by urging employees to use Zero Pay and traditional market gift certificates early, and to use employee welfare points early within the first half of the year.

Additionally, a traditional market visit day is operated at least once a month.

Furthermore, to revitalize the local economy, a rapid execution task force led by the deputy district mayor has been formed, focusing on closely managing job projects related to the low-income economy and large-scale projects over 1 billion KRW, accelerating early execution.

In particular, local tax support is provided for taxpayers affected by the spread of COVID-19.

Targeted industries include medical services, travel, distribution, lodging, and food services that inevitably close due to confirmed cases, quarantined persons, or visits by confirmed patients, excluding luxury entertainment establishments.

The district extends the payment deadline for tax items such as acquisition tax and local income tax for up to one year, and if payment is difficult for already notified or future local taxes, collection will be deferred for up to one year.

District Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “Many small business owners in the region are experiencing difficulties such as management hardships due to the impact of COVID-19,” and “We will do everything the district can to revive the local economy.”