Namwon-si Focuses on Creating a Business-Friendly City

Published 19 Jul.2021 13:17(KST)

[Namwon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Young-kwon] Jeonbuk Namwon City (Mayor Ihwanju) is focusing administrative efforts on resolving corporate difficulties and discovering various policy projects to create not only a business-friendly city this year but also a city with excellent corporate perception.

The city announced on the 19th that it is promoting support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and environmental improvement projects to foster SMEs as part of its strategy to establish a corporate support system and create a business-friendly environment.

It has also actively engaged in field-centered corporate support such as supporting industrial complex commuter bus rentals to strengthen corporate competitiveness and support worker welfare, publishing a guidebook for excellent SME products, implementing a corporate mentor system as part of a dedicated window for resolving corporate difficulties, and maintaining aging industrial complex infrastructure.

To stabilize SME management and provide prompt investment support, a SME development fund of 6.9 billion KRW has been established, offering up to 500 million KRW per company with interest rate differentials of 3% (4% for venture and promising companies) compensated under conditions of one-year grace and two-year repayment or two-year maturity repayment.

As of the end of last year, 25 companies received loan support totaling 7.1 billion KRW, providing practical assistance for corporate management.

Projects to improve the working environment and welfare benefits for SME workers are also being promoted.

This year, 340 million KRW is being supported for 15 companies for working environment improvement projects such as replacing LED lighting facilities and factory floor painting, as well as for worker welfare facilities including changing rooms, restrooms, and shower rooms.

The industrial complex commuter bus rental support project, implemented from last year through 2023 as a government joint public contest project, contributes to promoting employment of resident companies and workers in the area and alleviating chronic labor shortages.

Noam Industrial Complex operates three commuter buses on weekdays and one on weekends, while Gwangchi Industrial Complex operates one commuter bus, serving about 150 workers daily for commuting.

Starting this month, an additional night commuter bus will operate in Gwangchi Industrial Complex to ease the inconvenience of workers facing difficulties commuting during nighttime hours and improve their quality of life.

As part of raising awareness and supporting sales channels for products produced by local SMEs, the city produced 750 copies of a guidebook for excellent SME products and distributed them to local governments nationwide, local companies, related organizations, and groups.

It is also expected to help strengthen corporate competitiveness, create jobs, and revitalize the local economy.

The corporate mentor system, a program where senior administrative officials and town/district officers are matched 1:1 with companies, has visited 303 companies directly to listen to their difficulties, striving to discover and resolve corporate difficulties and regulations while promoting various SME development support policies.

Through improvement projects for aging infrastructure in industrial (agro-industrial) complexes, the city is creating a good working environment for corporate activities.

Last year, the city carried out restoration work on roads, drainage, and slopes damaged by heavy rain in industrial (agro-industrial) complexes, maintenance of aging streetlights, roads, and water pipelines, as well as environmental maintenance through mowing and tree care.

Mayor Ihwanju said, “Namwon City will continue its efforts to create a good working environment for businesses by improving SME environments, strengthening corporate competitiveness, supporting worker welfare, and maintaining industrial (agro-industrial) complex infrastructure, so that it can be a great support to local companies.”