Naju-si Achieves 'Great Success' in Designation as a Strong R&D Special Zone

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 27th that the Ministry of Science and ICT's Research and Development Special Zone Committee reviewed and approved the designation plan for a Small but Strong Research and Development Special Zone covering a total area of 1.69㎢, including the Wanggok-myeon Innovation Industrial Complex and the Bitgaram Innovation City Industry-Academia-Research Cluster.

Through the designation of the Small but Strong R&D Special Zone, following the 'National Innovation Cluster,' 'Energy Industry Convergence Complex,' and 'Energy New Industry Regulatory Free Zone,' the city has completed the four major energy industry complexes that it has been striving to activate the energy industry industry-academia-research ecosystem.

The Small but Strong Research and Development Special Zone (Small but Strong Special Zone) is a system aimed at creating a science and technology-based regional innovation growth platform by designating and fostering nearby areas as R&D hinterlands based on key technology institutions located in the region.

It avoids large-scale special zone development and was reformed as a new model for creating small-scale competitive research and development complexes through the revision of the related Research and Development Special Zone Act Enforcement Decree in 2018.

Through this, even if there is only one key technology institution with sufficient innovation capabilities, it can be designated as an R&D special zone to create a small-scale, high-density research complex.

Following the amendment of the Special Zone Act, the city, together with Jeollanam-do, set Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), a leading domestic energy public enterprise, and the Energy New Technology Research Institute as key technology institutions, and the Naju Innovation Industrial Complex and Innovation City Industry-Academia-Research Cluster as R&D hinterlands, accelerating the designation of the Small but Strong Special Zone.

Earlier, in May last year, the city signed a business agreement for the promotion and designation of the Small but Strong Special Zone with Jeollanam-do and KEPCO, applied for the special zone designation to central government ministries in September last year, and after eight months of review by the Ministry of Science and ICT expert committee and the Research and Development Special Zone Committee, achieved the great success of designation as a Small but Strong Special Zone.

In particular, as the nation's first public enterprise-type Small but Strong Special Zone, KEPCO plans to establish 60 research institute companies and realize 100 technology startups over the next five years, focusing on 'Intelligent Photovoltaics' and 'ESS' that combine KEPCO's world-class patented technologies with Jeollanam-do's natural environment.

Additionally, institutions, research institute companies, and advanced technology companies located within the special zone will receive tax reduction benefits on corporate tax, income tax, acquisition tax, property tax, and more.

They will also receive annual national funding of 6 billion KRW to participate in government technology commercialization R&D projects and conduct various demonstration projects.

The city expects that through this special zone designation, by 2025, there will be economic ripple effects including the creation of over 3,100 jobs, production inducement of 221.5 billion KRW, and added value of 102.4 billion KRW.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, "Through the designation of this special zone, we will nurture Naju as a global energy industry ecosystem hub by linking the completed four energy industry complexes, Jeollanam-do's Blue Economy, the establishment of Naju as the Energy Capital, and the founding of KEPCO University." He added, "Based on active cooperation with Jeollanam-do and KEPCO, we will actively support corporate attraction and growth."

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