Kim Dong-yeon Attends 'Gyeonggi-do Merchants' Day': "Reduced Government Budget but Will Actively Support"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is attending the Gyeonggi Market Merchants' Day event on the 15th and taking a commemorative photo with the participants.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon attended the first-ever ‘Gyeonggi Province Merchants' Day’ event held this year in Gyeonggi Province to express gratitude for the hard work of local merchants and to promise continuous support.

On the 15th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it held the ‘2023 1st Gyeonggi Province Merchants' Day’ event for the first time at Suwon Science College’s SINTEX to encourage traditional market merchants, who are the foundation and root of the local economy, amid the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 and high inflation.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated, "The central government has not significantly increased the national budget for next year amid difficult economic and livelihood conditions and has cut the entire budget for local currency. In times of economic hardship and livelihood difficulties like now, the role of government finances is extremely important. The budget growth rate for Gyeonggi Province next year is 6.9%," he explained.

He continued, "As the years go by, I hope that the merchants of Gyeonggi Province will remember Merchants' Day as a joyful, happy, and rewarding day, and from the perspective of the residents, as a day to express gratitude by providing good products at affordable prices with warmth and humanity. I deeply thank you for your efforts for the local economy of Gyeonggi Province and the economy of the Republic of Korea, and I will do my best to support you," he promised.

Hosted by Gyeonggi Province and organized by the Gyeonggi Province Merchants Association, the event was attended by about 1,500 people including Governor Kim, Kim Wan-gyu, Chair of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council’s Economic and Labor Committee, Lee Sang-chang, Head of the Gyeonggi Regional Small and Medium Business Administration, Jeong Dong-gyun, Chairman of the Gyeonggi Market and Commercial District Promotion Agency, Kim Won-jung, Head of the Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters of the Small Enterprise and Market Service, and traditional market merchants from 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province.

Following the entrance ceremony of the merchants’ associations from 31 cities and counties, each expressing unity and individuality, the Governor’s Commendation and plaques of appreciation were awarded to those who contributed to revitalizing traditional markets. The Gyeonggi Province Merchants Association declared three major visions for revitalizing traditional markets: ▲Safe Markets ▲Trustworthy Markets ▲Friendly and Clean Markets.

Additionally, various programs were held including a traditional market knowledge OX quiz, a unity sports competition and recreation, merchant club talent shows, and congratulatory performances.

Gyeonggi Province is promoting various projects to support traditional markets within the province, such as designating Gyeonggi-style commercial district promotion zones, supporting Gyeonggi-style innovative markets, traditional market cultural performance projects, Gyeonggi Province Excellent Market Expos, and fostering young merchants.

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