Yeosu Chamber of Commerce Strengthens Support for Traditional Markets and Small Business Owners

Lee Yong-gyu, Chairman of Yeosu Chamber of Commerce, "Revitalizing Traditional Markets, Small Businesses, and Alleyway Commerce Is Our Core Duty"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Kyung-taek] The Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has been criticized for being biased toward large corporations in the Yeosu industrial complex and stingy in supporting local small business owners, is strengthening support for local small business owners.

The Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on the 27th that it held a meeting on the 26th regarding the revitalization project of traditional markets.

On that day, 16 representatives from traditional markets, small business owners, and shopping districts, including Park Ki-chang, president of the Yeosu Small Business Association, were invited to listen to the difficulties faced by traditional markets, small business owners, and alleyway commercial districts.

Chairman Lee Yong-gyu stated, “So far, the Yeosu Chamber’s interest and support for traditional markets, small business owners, and alleyway commercial districts, which are the foundation of our local grassroots economy, have been insufficient. We will reduce or abolish ceremonial and unnecessary events to save the budget, and use the saved budget to support traditional markets and alleyway commercial districts.”

At the meeting, the Yeosu Chamber introduced traditional market support projects discovered through several months of field surveys and listening to market merchants’ opinions in 16 traditional markets and shopping districts within the jurisdiction.

The Yeosu Chamber plans to prioritize support for ▲replacement of all old chairs for street vendors (stall merchants) ▲installation of hand dryers in traditional market restrooms ▲a campaign to distribute shopping basket carts to traditional market users ▲online sales channel development training projects for market merchants.

In response, a representative of the merchants’ association said, “We appreciate the Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry because this briefing and meeting do not seem like a one-time event,” and added, “The Yeosu Chamber, which we had only felt had no special relationship with merchants, has prepared essential projects for merchants during difficult times.”

Meanwhile, Chairman Lee Yong-gyu emphasized communication with the Yeosu Chamber and mutual sharing of problems faced by merchants in traditional markets, small businesses, and alleyway commercial districts, and announced plans to rent the merchants’ association office free of charge within the Yeosu Chamber building.

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