Create 20 "Smart Shopping District Expansion Bases" to "Enhance Small Business Competitiveness"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] The Small Enterprise and Market Service announced on the 20th that it plans to operate 20 Smart Pilot Shopping Districts this year to secure competitiveness for small business owners through digitalization.

The Smart Pilot Shopping Districts will be promoted mainly in commercial areas where small business owners are concentrated and consumers familiar with smart technologies gather. They plan to operate these as hubs for future expansion. They intend to support the adoption of innovative technologies by applying and distributing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to small business establishments.

This plan to operate Smart Pilot Shopping Districts is a follow-up measure to the '2020 New Year Work Report' held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 17th. First, they plan to support a smart order solution based on an application that allows touch ordering and payment at restaurant tables in 1,000 stores.

Additionally, they will support 100 stores in the hair, beauty, and clothing sectors with a smart mirror solution that provides image analysis and virtual styling experiences. Consulting will also be provided for small business owners who wish to adopt smart technologies.

They will also create 20 'Smart Workshops' that integrate digital technology into the manual manufacturing processes of small business owners. They will support the establishment of smart systems in workplaces by promoting a 100 billion KRW loan budget for smart process adoption and education on smart technology utilization.

They will also discover 'Centennial Stores' that have sustained operations through long experience and know-how, and 'Centennial Small Business Owners' for the inheritance of skills and technologies. This year, they plan to select 300 Centennial Stores and 200 Centennial Small Business Owners respectively.

They will create hub spaces that combine traditional markets and surrounding commercial areas reflecting the characteristics of the commercial districts, supporting theme zone design and operation, festivals, and cultural and artistic performances. They plan to establish 30 such spaces by 2022.

Sales of Onnuri Gift Certificates to revitalize the local economy will also be expanded. Furthermore, bus tour products will be developed and operated targeting markets with high demand for domestic and international tourist tour products, such as global luxury markets and leading regional markets.

Financial support for low-credit and micro small business owners will be expanded. Special re-challenge funds will be provided to small business owners with low credit but excellent technological capabilities and growth potential. A budget of 50 billion KRW will be invested this year. A dedicated research institution for small business policies will also be established to strengthen the independent policy domain of small business policies.