Kang Gijeong: "I Will Open the Airways for SMEs and Small Merchants, the Capillaries of Gwangju's Economy"

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[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Kang Ki-jung, the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated on the 24th, "We will open the airways for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, the capillaries of Gwangju's economy, to revitalize the neighborhood commercial districts."

He also emphasized, "We will create a 'good job ecosystem' through a major transformation of the manufacturing industry and future strategic industries that have protected Gwangju."

First, together with 100,000 small business owners, a Neighborhood Commercial District Promotion Center will be established to build an integrated control tower for supporting self-employed and small business owners with customized support such as financial aid, commercial district analysis, consulting, on-site specialized education, and transition to innovative services.

The Gwangju City government will contribute a special fund of 15 billion KRW (10 billion KRW from Gwangju City and 5 billion KRW from five autonomous districts) to the Gwangju Credit Guarantee Foundation to operate a special guarantee system for small business owners by industry on a regular basis, strengthening financial support. They also plan to cooperate with local financial institutions to provide small business owners with three types of no-conditions loans (no guarantee, no interest, no collateral) and support for loan interest.

Along with this, support for smart factories, where all production processes are automated, will be strengthened, and living conditions will be improved through a major renovation of aging industrial complexes. Budgetary and institutional support for all manufacturing sectors will be enhanced to create a 'good job ecosystem.'

Reflecting social demand, the plan includes expanding public sector recruitment of various professionals and strengthening opportunity-type public sector job projects that allow for work-study and work-household balance.

By linking support for AI industries such as future transportation, smart home care, and smart manufacturing?fields where existing companies can switch to short-term operations?the plan aims to transform into an innovative industrial ecosystem and operate a joint training center to nurture digital technology innovation talents tailored to local industry sites.

Additionally, the plan includes promoting Gwangju as an industrial, medical, and sports MICE city; establishing a climate environment research and demonstration complex; creating a dedicated department for Gwangju K-Beauty city; and supporting service standardization and digital services by industry for beauty and food service sectors.

Candidate Kang said, "Small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners are the veins flowing through Gwangju's economy, and manufacturing and strategic industries are the backbone that has protected Gwangju's economy. We will open the airways in neighborhood commercial districts to allow blood flow and make the backbone stronger and more robust."

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