Kim Dong-yeon Meets 100 Entrepreneurs: "Survive and Turn Crisis into Opportunity"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is taking a commemorative photo after having a handshake talk with 100 businesspeople from the Hwaseong area on the 22nd. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy (Hwaseong) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized that economic growth next year seems difficult, but if we survive the tough times, opportunities will come.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Governor Kim met with 100 businesspeople from Hwaseong at Zeus Co., Ltd., a listed company manufacturing semiconductor wet cleaning and multi-joint robots located in Hwaseong, and said, "I was surprised to see the government’s projection of a 1.5% growth rate for next year," adding, "Next year will be truly difficult due to high interest rates, high exchange rates, soaring raw material prices, logistics costs, international politics, and various economic situations."

This is the first time since 2000 that South Korea has projected an economic growth rate in the 1% range.

Governor Kim added, "I have experienced the IMF (International Monetary Fund) crisis and witnessed many companies on the front lines. If you survive and pass through the tunnel, this crisis will become an opportunity," encouraging, "If there is any part where Gyeonggi Province’s support is needed, I will always keep my ears open and listen. Let’s survive these difficult times and turn this crisis into an opportunity."

Matson Talk is a communication event where Governor Kim visits the 31 cities and counties in the province once a month to directly hear voices from the field and hold discussions. It started in Anyang in September, continued in Yeoncheon in October, and in Ansan in November.

Unlike the previous three Matson Talks, which focused on local issues such as old downtowns and border areas, this time, at the request of Hwaseong City, the event was held in the form of a dialogue with businesspeople.

Governor Kim said, "I promised to make Gyeonggi Province the capital of opportunity. The first is more opportunities. I want to talk about the dynamism of our economy, the creativity of companies, and the infrastructure that allows companies to operate freely," introducing the provincial government’s direction, "This time, Gyeonggi Province reorganized its organization to create the Future Growth Industry Bureau. It established departments for semiconductor industry, bio industry, AI big data, and advanced mobility, which correspond to future growth engines."

He continued, "Hwaseong, with about 22,000 companies, is truly the heart of South Korea’s growth, development, and industry. Hwaseong City plays a pivotal role not only in Gyeonggi Province’s future growth engines but also in South Korea’s core industries. Gyeonggi Province will do its utmost to support this," promising, "Although there are central government regulations, we will do everything possible within our power and consult with the central government on matters requiring coordination, sharing concerns with you."

During the subsequent meeting, one businessperson requested, "Many startups do not know how to approach when they come up with core items. Please review issues together through contests or meetings and consider technical solutions."

Another businessperson said, "I applied for a building permit in September to construct a new factory, but it has not been issued yet. They say it is because of the factory total volume system. I think it is necessary to prevent indiscriminate development, but companies must seize opportunities when they come to survive. It is unfortunate to miss opportunities due to regulations, and I hope these can be institutionally improved."

The attending businesspeople proposed ▲road expansion near Songsan Technopark Industrial Complex ▲approval for industrial complex plan changes to expand parking lots in Hyangnam Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex ▲software infrastructure support at the local government level ▲connection of water supply in factory-dense areas ▲support for prototype production equipment for small business owners ▲construction of dormitories for young workers in industrial complexes.

Governor Kim promised on the spot to support feasible matters.

Earlier, Governor Kim announced as a key pledge to focus on fostering semiconductor, future car, and bio industries to secure future growth engines and to nurture ICT-leading companies, which are the foundation of future industries.

Recently, with the passage of the 'Gyeonggi Province Administrative Organization and Staffing Ordinance' through the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, the province is preparing an organizational restructuring by establishing the Future Growth Industry Bureau to discover future growth engines, creating departments such as semiconductor industry, advanced mobility industry, and bio industry.

Meanwhile, the Matson Talk on this day was attended by Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun, Provincial Assembly members Kim Hoe-cheol, Park Jin-young, Shin Mi-sook, Lee Eun-joo, Samsung Electronics Vice President Eom Jae-hoon, Hyundai Motor Namyang Research Center Executive Director Kim Dong-han, Zeus Co., Ltd. CEO Lee Jong-woo, and other businesspeople.

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