[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will temporarily reduce river occupancy fees to alleviate the economic burden on residents facing difficulties due to COVID-19.
This measure aims to support private businesses such as small business owners and self-employed individuals who have suffered economic damage like decreased sales due to COVID-19, and to revitalize the stagnant local economy.
The current "Gyeonggi Province River Occupancy Fee Imposition and Collection Ordinance" stipulates that if the purpose of occupancy is lost due to special circumstances such as disasters like COVID-19, the governor may reduce the occupancy fee according to a recognized rate.
The targets are private businesses within the province that have obtained river occupancy permits, including water leisure businesses, restaurants, fish farms, docks, and tourist facilities. The province plans to reduce river occupancy fees for three months from March to May.
However, the public sector is not eligible for the reduction. The province will refund the occupancy fees paid during the applicable period.
The province expects that this reduction measure will apply to 7,500 cases and 6.7 million square meters. In terms of amount, it is estimated to correspond to 25% (900 million KRW) of this year's total river occupancy fee imposition amount of 3.5 billion KRW.
Ko Gang-su, head of the River Division of the province, stated, "We expect that this reduction in river occupancy fees will serve as a catalyst to revitalize the local economy, which is struggling due to the significant contraction of economic activities caused by COVID-19."
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