Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam, Announces 'New Year Provincial Government Operation Direction' at Gyeongnam Economic Forum

The 258th Gyeongnam Economic Forum Special Lecture Hosted by Changwon Chamber of Commerce

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is speaking about the direction of provincial administration for the new year at the 258th Gyeongnam Economic Forum hosted by the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. [Image source=Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] “Along with overcoming the crisis, please take on a pivotal role as leaders of the economic and commercial sectors to revitalize the Gyeongnam economy and lead the regional economy.”

Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su said this on the morning of the 12th at the 258th Gyeongnam Economic Forum held at Hotel International Changwon.

Governor Park delivered a special lecture on the theme of “2023 Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government Operation Direction.”

The forum, hosted by the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was attended by about 180 people including Koo Ja-cheon, Chairman of Changwon Chamber of Commerce, Lee Hee-jik, Vice President of Doosan Enerbility, Choi Hong-young, President of BNK Gyeongnam Bank, Jung Young-hwa, Chairman of Gyeongnam Venture Business Association, Lee Sam-yeon, Chairman of the Gyeongnam Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, Noh Choong-sik, Director of Gyeongnam Technopark, as well as representatives of member companies of Changwon Chamber of Commerce, related institution heads, and organization leaders.

The Changwon Chamber of Commerce stated that the special lecture was prepared to help local companies establish business plans by sharing the policy directions of local governments amid increasing uncertainties in domestic and international business environments.

According to Gyeongnam Province and the Chamber, Governor Park cited last year’s provincial government achievements such as achieving the highest-ever investment attraction amount and confirming the establishment of the Space and Aviation Agency within the year.

For this year’s five major provincial government operation directions, he presented ▲ Land of Opportunity Gyeongnam ▲ Growing Gyeongnam ▲ Enjoyable Gyeongnam ▲ Reliable Gyeongnam ▲ and Elegant Gyeongnam.

Governor Park said, “If the past six months were a time to tune and prepare the engine of the provincial government to realize the vision, this year will be the first year for Gyeongnam to make a new leap forward, and I will run with the determination to take on challenges. Just as the residents have wisely overcome every crisis, we must turn the current crisis into an opportunity.”

He also set goals of ▲ 7 trillion won in investment attraction ▲ creation of 122,000 jobs ▲ and lifting of 3 million pyeong of greenbelt land.

“We will newly develop a defense and nuclear power national industrial complex on the lifted greenbelt to achieve $17 billion in defense industry export orders and strive to restore the nuclear power industry ecosystem,” he said.

He announced four major strategies for manufacturing industry innovation (G-Restart): industrial ecosystem expansion, future advanced industry cultivation, upgrading of core industries, and securing sustainable growth engines.

Through this, he promised ▲ establishment of the Defense Parts Research Institute ▲ operation of the Defense Export Support Group ▲ promotion of preliminary feasibility study for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology development ▲ construction of a Nuclear Power Comprehensive Support Center ▲ advancement of hydrogen and advanced medical device industries ▲ development of future aviation and new materials ▲ installation of the Space and Aviation Agency within the year ▲ creation of a satellite-specialized zone and attraction of companies.

Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu (left) and Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Gu Jacheon are conducting a dialogue at the 258th Gyeongnam Economic Forum, answering questions from attendees. [Image source=Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

Afterwards, Governor Park continued a dialogue with Chairman Koo and answered questions from attendees.

Regarding special policies for fostering the nuclear power industry, he said, “Local businesses must be facing difficulties due to the nuclear phase-out policy. We will focus on restoring the nuclear power industry ecosystem and strengthening the competitiveness of nuclear power companies.”

On corporate support policies in response to interest rate hikes, he replied, “We plan to expand the support scale for small and medium enterprise development funds to 1.1 trillion won and allow refinancing loans only for management stabilization funds to ease the financial burden on companies.”

He also emphasized establishing a Gyeongnam-type sustainable management platform in line with the spread of ESG management, improving youth settlement conditions to enhance regional competitiveness, and promoting the Namhaean tourism belt project.

Regarding the construction of a U-shaped transportation network connecting Gyeongnam, Busan, and Ulsan, he expressed his intention to continue steady consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Chairman Koo said, “Today’s announcement of the provincial government direction and the dialogue with the governor greatly helped in understanding the nurturing direction of Gyeongnam’s existing core industries as well as new growth industries such as defense, aerospace, and nuclear power. I hope the opinions exchanged with businesspeople through the dialogue will have a positive impact on the provincial government.”

He added, “The Chamber of Commerce will also do its best for the development of companies and local communities so that Gyeongnam Province’s policies can achieve effective results.”

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