Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City to set up ‘Investment Attraction Help Desk’ ... supporting regional relocation

[Financial News] The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City will set up an ‘SME Investment Attraction Help Desk’ to support the smooth relocation of outstanding small and midsize companies to the region.
 The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business held a policy meeting with SME representatives on the 12th at the Holiday Inn Gwangju Hotel in Seo District, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, with Integrated Special Mayor Min Hyung-bae as its guest. About 30 people attended, including Ki-Moon Kim, chairman of the federation; Mayor Min; Park Jong-chan, head of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Office of SMEs and Startups; officials from government and related institutions; and heads of regional cooperatives. They discussed ways to revitalize the local economy.
 The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and the integrated city signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that day to jointly establish and operate an SME Investment Attraction Help Desk to support the relocation and investment of small and midsize companies in the region. 
 Drawing on the federation’s nationwide network and expertise in attracting investment, the two organizations plan to provide practical information and support to companies hesitant to relocate and maximize investment-attraction synergies linked to the integrated city’s mega-projects.
 At the policy meeting held after the MOU signing, the participants shared the results of a survey of local SMEs on the launch of the integrated city. Companies cited ‘confusion and delays in administrative procedures’ (52.4%) as their biggest concern about its launch. They also put forward 11 key tasks, including fostering SME cooperation and creating business opportunities through mega-projects, as well as supporting energy costs at joint logistics centers for small business owners.
 Chairman Kim emphasized, “With the SME Investment Attraction Help Desk at the center of our efforts, I will focus our capabilities on helping companies expanding overseas and companies in the Seoul metropolitan area find new growth opportunities in Jeonnam-Gwangju and invest there.”
 Mayor Min said, “I will actively incorporate the suggestions we have received into city administration and build an integrated special city that grows together with local SMEs.”

[email protected] Kim Hyeon-cheol Reporter