Naju-si Selects 37 Energy-Specialized Companies... The Most Nationwide

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 24th that nine companies residing in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Convergence Complex were selected as energy-specialized companies by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, following 28 companies in the first half of this year.

Energy-specialized companies are selected based on the "Special Act on Energy Industry Convergence Complex," targeting resident companies whose sales proportion of energy industry and related businesses is 50%. Selection is made by evaluating technology level, management capabilities, and linkage with key industries.

Among 120 companies residing in six regional complexes nationwide, including Gwangju-Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, Busan-Ulsan, and Chungbuk, 90 companies were finally selected as specialized companies.

Among them, Naju-area specialized companies totaled 37, the highest nationwide combining both the first and second halves, accounting for 41% of the national specialized companies, further solidifying its position as the energy capital of Korea.

Based on the achievements in the first half, the city has focused on attracting interest and participation from resident companies through non-face-to-face promotions such as "visiting on-site briefings," mainly through the Energy Companies Council.

Selected specialized companies receive benefits such as local tax reductions, a 2% increase in local investment promotion subsidies, and bonus points (up to 2 points) when participating as the lead institution in Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy R&D projects.

Currently, a revision bill of the "Special Act on Designation and Promotion of Energy Industry Convergence Complex" aimed at expanding effective support for energy-specialized companies is pending in the National Assembly.

The revision bill includes provisions such as a public institution preferential purchase system, tax support, and employment subsidies for resident companies.

The city is promoting the "Energy Industry Convergence Complex Revitalization Support Project," investing a total of 7 billion KRW by 2024, aiming to create an innovation growth hub through fostering specialized companies in the energy industry convergence complex.

This project supports resident companies in R&D demonstration, development of convergence products and product upgrading, and technology commercialization packages for promising companies.

So far, 21 local companies have received a total of 400 million KRW in support across four areas including R&D demonstration, technology commercialization, and domestic and international testing and certification.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, "In line with the nationwide highest selection of energy-specialized companies, we will actively propose institutional improvements and related regulation revisions to the government for effective support of resident companies," adding, "We will promote regional economic revitalization by creating an innovation growth hub centered on the energy industry convergence complex, fostering promising companies, and creating jobs."

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr

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