Jeongeup-si Accelerates Efforts to Foster the Companion Animal Industry

Published 06 Oct.2023 09:56(KST)

Jeongeup City in Jeonbuk announced on the 6th that it is accelerating the development of the pet industry differentiated from other local governments in preparation for the increase in pet-owning households and the spread of pet humanization culture.

The city aims to establish a new industry base encompassing not only a pet-friendly city but also the pet healthcare sector, with the goal of creating an innovation hub for the entire lifecycle industry.

Jeongeup City is accelerating the development of the pet industry. <br>[Photo by Jeongeup City]

Jeongeup City is accelerating the development of the pet industry.
[Photo by Jeongeup City]

To this end, the city has been moving quickly, starting with the establishment of the "Jeongeup City Pet Industry Development Basic Plan (2023~2030)" earlier this year and forming the "Jeongeup City Pet Industry Promotion Team."

In addition, to focus on fostering the pet healthcare sector, the city is discovering various projects involving government-funded research institutes and private research centers located in the region, securing budgets for these projects, and strengthening links with various government policies such as the "Pet-related Industry Promotion Measures" to increase the feasibility of achieving its goals.

Despite being in the early stages of project implementation, the city has laid the groundwork by being selected in April for the "Mega Project for Developing Pet New Drugs and Functional Feed Based on Agricultural and Life Science Materials (7.1 billion KRW)" following the "Establishment of a Platform for Pet Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization (24 billion KRW)" project by the Pet New Drug Development Project Group.

Furthermore, through designation as a special zone that allows regulatory improvements, practical and certification support, expedited approval, and financial support for new product development, the city plans to respond to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' "Pet Healthcare Global Innovation Special Zone Contest" and, in the future, establish world-class infrastructure by designating a specialized complex for pet-related industries, aiming to leap forward as the nation's only pet industry innovation hub.

A city official said, "As the number of pet-owning households increases, the pet industry is also experiencing significant growth," adding, "We will strive to become the number one pet industry hub by leveraging many institutions and research centers available to the city."