Naju-si Signs Agreement for Small Giant R&D Special Zone Enterprise Community

Published 04 May.2022 13:53(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do, is launching efforts to build a solid communication network with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and special zone companies to revitalize the operation of the Gangso Research and Development Special Zone.

The city announced on the 4th that on the 3rd, at the Energy New Technology Research Institute located in the Innovation Industrial Complex, it signed the 'Jeonnam Naju Gangso Research and Development Special Zone Enterprise Community Agreement' with Jeollanam-do, KEPCO, and 44 Gangso Special Zone companies.

This agreement aims to establish an independent community of special zone companies for information exchange and utilization of existing capabilities among the parties involved.

Along with joint efforts on the mid- to long-term growth model and strategy establishment for the Gangso Special Zone, active participation in research and development (R&D) will strengthen mutual cooperation, the so-called value chain, among Naju City, KEPCO, and special zone companies.

A total of 44 companies will participate in the community formation, which will be operated in three divisions aligned with the Gangso Special Zone's core projects in regional specialization development: 'Energy Efficiency,' 'Specialized Projects,' and 'Intelligent Power Grid.'

Korea Aviation Lighting Co., Ltd. (CEO Ahn Yongjin), Eugene Techno Co., Ltd. (CEO Ji Sewon), and Mirae E&I Co., Ltd. (CEO Yoon Heebok) have been designated as division leader companies to lead the community activation.

The city and KEPCO plan to focus on building a co-growth platform with special zone companies through this agreement, supporting market expansion, and demand-supply linkage in the energy industry.

Kim Taekyun, Director of Technology Planning, said in his greeting, “The signing of the enterprise community agreement aims to drive the growth of special zone companies and the region by activating technological cooperation between core technology institutions and special zone companies, as well as strengthening ties with major institutions.”

He added, “We plan to operate differentiated support through selection and concentration of special zone projects, joint use of research equipment tailored to corporate needs, joint R&D planning based on KEPCO and the Electric Power Research Institute, and a technical clinic with expert 1:1 demand-technology matching to enhance companies’ technological understanding. Through effective support tailored to the growth stages of companies, we will nurture 10 star companies by 2025.”

A city official stated, “Through this agreement, we will strive to secure corporate competitiveness and build a co-growth infrastructure by sharing integrated information based on corporate demand and providing customized support according to each company’s growth stage. Marking the second year since the special zone designation, we will establish a communication and cooperation network with central government ministries and Jeollanam-do to promote the revitalization of special zone operations.”