Minister Kwon Chil-seung Visits Gwangju and Jeonnam Regulatory Free Zones... 'On-site Communication'

Visit to Yeonggwang Terminal Traditional Market, Chuseok Shopping Event
Emphasis on 'Regulatory Law Improvement' in Yeonggwang e-Mobility Special Zone

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Kwon Chil-seung, Minister of SMEs and Startups, announced on the 13th that he will visit the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions to have direct communication time with local small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners.

This schedule follows his extensive visits to Jeonbuk and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk regions in June and will be held over two days to reflect the opinions from the Jeonnam and Gwangju areas into policies and to encourage related personnel.

On the 13th, Minister Kwon visited the 'Yeonggwang Terminal Traditional Market' and the 'e-Mobility Regulatory Free Zone' in Yeonggwang, followed by a visit to the 'Vaccine Industry Regional Special Zone' in Hwasun.

First, to encourage the use of the COVID-19 coexistence national support fund, which began distribution on the 6th in celebration of Chuseok, Minister Kwon purchased goods at the Yeonggwang Terminal Traditional Market and then donated the purchased items to a nearby social welfare facility. He also comforted traditional market merchants struggling due to COVID-19 and listened to their difficulties.

In the afternoon, together with Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, and Kim Joon-sung, Mayor of Yeonggwang County, he visited the e-Mobility Regulatory Free Zone located in Yeonggwang County. The e-Mobility Special Zone was designated in July 2019 to foster related industries through the development of safety devices and dedicated road driving demonstrations for ultra-small electric vehicles, electric bicycles, electric kickboards, and more.

In the Yeonggwang Special Zone, safety testing and verification (demonstration) to relax regulations stipulated in the Road Traffic Act, Automobile Management Act, and others related to the operation of ultra-small electric vehicles and electric bicycles are being conducted until August 2023.

At the Korea Automotive Research Institute Jeonnam Headquarters, the lead institution of the special zone project, Minister Kwon checked the progress of the demonstration and said, "By promoting demonstrations of electric-powered mobility and renewable energy-related projects as special zone projects in Jeonnam and Gwangju, we are playing a leading role in the government's ‘Korean New Deal’ policy. We will actively work with related ministries to promptly revise regulatory laws so that the demonstration results can be commercialized nationwide."

Minister Kwon also visited the Vaccine Industry Special Zone located in Hwasun County, Jeonnam. In particular, he visited the Microbial Demonstration Support Center, the lead institution of the special zone project, and BioFD&C, one of the participating companies, to listen to their difficulties and encourage the personnel.

The Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone is the only vaccine industry special zone in Korea, designated in 2010 to provide specialized support for the development of vaccines and vaccine-related raw materials in preparation for recurring new infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Thanks to the efforts of Hwasun County, Jeonnam National University Hospital, the Microbial Demonstration Support Center, and excellent companies have been attracted to the zone.

Through this, the domestically produced flu vaccine, which was previously dependent on imports, and clinical trials for the localization of the COVID-19 vaccine are being conducted, contributing to the development of the domestic vaccine industry and revitalization of the local economy.

At BioFD&C, located within the special zone, Minister Kwon listened to their difficulties and said, "The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to actively support the Hwasun Vaccine Special Zone to leap forward as a K-Global Vaccine Hub by newly establishing a 100 billion KRW scale vaccine and bio investment fund in 2022."

On the second day of the extensive Jeonnam and Gwangju visits on the 14th, the voices from the field will continue to be reflected in policies through events such as the opening ceremony of the Gwangju Artificial Intelligence (AI) Startup Camp, a meeting with resident companies, and a visit to the Gwangju Unmanned Low-Speed Special Vehicle Regulatory Free Zone.

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