Gyeonggi-do, Local Bookstore Local Currency Consumption Support Fund 'Popular'... Budget Exhausted Early

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province's 'Local Bookstore Local Currency Consumption Support Fund' project was exhausted early within three months. Originally, this project was scheduled to continue until the end of this year.

The Gyeonggi Content Agency announced on the 20th that the 'Local Bookstore Local Currency Consumption Support Fund' project, which refunds 10% (up to 30,000 KRW) of the payment amount in local currency when purchasing books with local currency, gained popularity and ended early after about three months.

This project was introduced in June to revitalize local bookstores and spread the culture of reading books.

Among offline local bookstores certified by the province, about 290 local currency affiliated stores were eligible, and a project budget of 450 million KRW was invested.

Although the budget was planned expecting usage until the end of the year, it was exhausted early within three months. The consumption support fund can be used at any local currency affiliated store, and if not used within three months from the payment date, it will be reclaimed.

A provincial official stated, "More residents than expected participated in the local bookstore consumption support fund project, leading to its early closure," and added, "We hope that local bookstores will not only be spaces that sell books as products but also establish themselves as complex cultural spaces within the region, where residents can more easily encounter books and share culture together."

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