"Reviving Local Economies" ... Local Governments Strive to Overcome 'COVID-19' Challenges

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Local governments are implementing various consumption promotion measures to support regional farms struggling due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). They are opening sales channels for local agricultural, livestock, and marine products hit hard by the sharp decline in consumption, and providing support for packaging and delivery costs.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 19th, Gangwon Province potatoes promoted by Governor Choi Moon-soon on YouTube are selling out daily thanks to the affordable price of 5,000 won for 10 kg. Even when preparing 8,000 boxes for daily sales, they sell out within about 1 minute and 30 seconds after sales start due to their popularity. Gangwon Province stated, "The food service industry is in recession due to COVID-19, and with schools postponing their opening, even school meal sales channels have been blocked. To alleviate farmers' difficulties, we plan to continue the event until all the highland potatoes, which have accumulated over 10,000 tons, are sold."

Gyeonggi Province recently held a joint purchase event for 'eco-friendly agricultural product packages' to help contract farming households supplying school meals, which became difficult due to the postponement of school openings. Even Governor Lee Jae-myung appealed for purchases through SNS, and the prepared quantity of about 7,100 boxes sold out in just two hours.

Jeju Province is conducting a 'Buy Flowers Campaign' to support flower farmers whose export routes to Japan have been blocked. Following purchases of about 10,000 lilies by the province, the provincial council, the Nonghyup, the education office, and the police agency, since last month, the 'Office Flower Living (1Table 1Flower) Campaign' has been promoting placing flowerpots and flower arrangements in offices to improve the environment and expand flower sales.

Daedeok District in Daejeon is promoting traditional market consumption by holding 'Jungni Traditional Market Samgyeopsal Day' every Friday. Domestic samgyeopsal is sold at 8,000 won per geun (600g), and if paid with the local currency 'Daedeok e-Ro-um,' customers can enter a lottery to receive a 10,000 won refund, along with various other events.

In Gunsan, Jeonbuk Province, the self-developed food delivery app 'Baedal-ui Myeongsu' has been operating since the 13th. The app is provided free of charge without advertising fees or commissions to businesses and consumers, supporting the revitalization of consumption at local restaurants.

Ko Gyu-chang, Director of the Local Finance and Economy Office at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, "We plan to actively promote good policies to revive the local economy affected by COVID-19 so that other local governments can utilize them. We hope this will help the recovery of the local economy, including small business owners and SMEs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.