Ha Byeongpil Acting Governor "Will Prepare for a New Provincial Administration"... Gyeongnam Province Opens Era of 11 Trillion Won Main Budget

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gyeongsangnam-do has prepared next year's budget proposal amounting to 11.3302 trillion KRW, an increase of 709.8 billion KRW (6.7%) compared to this year, and submitted it to the provincial council. With this, Gyeongnam Province has entered the era of a main budget exceeding 11 trillion KRW.

Ha Byung-pil, Acting Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, stated in the provincial council's policy speech on the 2nd, "Active financial support is necessary to prepare for a new future in a time of change," and added, "Despite difficult financial conditions, we have prepared a budget that will empower the residents through restructuring the expenditure budget," urging the passage of next year's budget proposal.

He continued, "While strictly maintaining political neutrality and public service discipline, we will complete the 7th elected term and prepare smoothly for the new provincial administration," requesting the cooperation of the provincial council.

The province prioritized the recovery of the dynamism of Gyeongnam's economy, which worsened due to COVID-19, strengthening an inclusive social safety net, and creating a safe and livable environment in this budget proposal.

First, 2.9343 trillion KRW was allocated to revitalize the stagnant local economy and support the creation of high-quality jobs that young people want to pursue, such as smart manufacturing innovation and IT industry development.

2.663 trillion KRW was allocated to strengthen future food industries and support local economic revitalization, including the expansion of smart factory distribution projects and interest subsidies for small and medium-sized enterprise development funds; 547.2 billion KRW for future talent development education support projects; and 1.2174 trillion KRW for agricultural and fishery support projects such as subsidies for farmers and fishermen and the Fishery New Deal 300 project.

The budget to strengthen an inclusive social safety net, including tailored support by life cycle and expanded services for vulnerable groups, amounts to 4.4761 trillion KRW. Specifically, this includes 1.2693 trillion KRW for basic pensions, 121.4 billion KRW for senior job creation and social activity support projects, 387.5 billion KRW for livelihood benefits, and 42.8 billion KRW for self-support work projects.

Finally, 1.6918 trillion KRW was allocated to create a safe environment through the establishment of a COVID-19 infectious disease response system and strengthening life safety focused on preventing accidents among vulnerable groups. This includes 247.8 billion KRW for expanding public healthcare and building an infectious disease response system, 719.5 billion KRW for responding to the climate crisis and creating a sustainable development environment, 322.9 billion KRW for revitalizing cultural tourism for shared enjoyment, and 401.6 billion KRW for strengthening life safety focused on accident prevention.

Next year's budget proposal will be finalized after deliberation at the 390th regular session of the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council.

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