Gwanak-gu, Customized Support for Apparel Manufacturers

A total of 52 companies supported through the 2022 Seoul-style Garment Manufacturing Workplace Improvement Support Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is sparing no effort to strengthen the self-reliance and competitiveness of small garment manufacturers in order to help the stagnant garment sewing industry become the center of the local economy.

In June, the district was selected for the ‘2022 Seoul-style Garment Manufacturing Workplace Improvement Support Project,’ expanding the budget from 260 million KRW of city funds by adding district funds to a total of 350 million KRW, and carried out workplace improvement support projects for 52 companies in the region.

Support is provided for items to improve the working environment of garment manufacturing companies working in harsh conditions constantly exposed to harmful substances such as dust and poor ventilation, which are characteristic of garment manufacturing work, becoming a strong pillar for small garment manufacturers.

By removing workplace hazards, improving lighting and dust control, supporting safety management such as fire extinguishers, fire detectors, and circuit breakers, and improving the working environment and work efficiency through LED lighting replacement, air purifiers, and heating and cooling systems, the competitiveness of the garment manufacturing industry has been enhanced.

Meanwhile, the district opened the ‘Gwanak-gu Small Garment Manufacturers Sewing Collaboration Center’ (1517-1 Nambusunhwan-ro) in February, equipped with professional facilities such as ▲cutting room and CAD room ▲training room and pattern room ▲shared workshop and sample room in the areas of Sinsa, Jowon, and Miseong-dong, which are the direct local areas of small garment manufacturers, laying the foundation for the stagnant garment manufacturing industry to take off again.

The ‘Gwanak-gu Small Garment Manufacturers Sewing Collaboration Center’ provides free support for equipment that requires high initial investment or is difficult for general small manufacturers to operate, gaining high satisfaction from garment manufacturing small manufacturers.

Stable operation after the opening of the Gwanak-gu Small Garment Manufacturers Sewing Collaboration Center, a shared infrastructure facility in the small manufacturer cluster district

Mr. A, a small manufacturer using the sewing collaboration center’s cutting room, said, “The free cutting service greatly helps small sewing companies by reducing costs and shortening cutting time, thereby increasing production efficiency.”

In addition, various programs such as shared workshop utilization, capacity-building training for small manufacturers, consulting, building a small manufacturer network in the cluster district, developing joint brands and products, and market development are provided to local garment sewing small manufacturers to enhance market competitiveness.

Any local resident interested in garment sewing can use the facilities, and applications can be made through the Gwanak Fashion Sewing Association website.

A district official said, “Diverse and systematic support is necessary for the revitalization and resurgence of the garment manufacturing industry,” adding, “We will continue to show interest and provide various support so that small garment manufacturers can maintain sound economic activities within the region.”

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