Jangseong-gun's 'Jangseong Sarang Gift Certificate' Issuance Amount Increases 14 Times Compared to Previous Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, revealed that the locally issued regional currency "Jangseong Sarang Gift Certificate," which was intensively issued this year, has become a major driving force for economic recovery.

According to the county on the 5th, the total amount of gift certificates issued in the first half of this year was 27.3 billion KRW, about 14 times higher than the previous year (2 billion KRW).

It consists of 20.3 billion KRW in policy issuance and 7 billion KRW in general issuance, of which about 18 billion KRW was sold or distributed as disaster relief funds, etc.

The number of affiliated stores also increased. The number of stores secured increased by 330 from 1,100 at the beginning of this year to 1,430, enhancing user convenience.

In particular, the rapid increase in the amount of gift certificate exchanges is remarkable.

In April, when COVID-19 disaster relief funds and subsidies for farmers and fishermen began to be paid, 2.074 billion KRW was exchanged, and in May, 5.634 billion KRW was exchanged.

Compared to the average monthly exchange amount (410 million KRW) from September last year, when the Jangseong Sarang Gift Certificate was first issued, to last March, it can be inferred that it is effectively contributing to economic stimulation.

By industry, the exchange amounts in marts, wholesale and retail, and food service establishments accounted for 62% of the total scale.

Also, about 600 million KRW worth of gift certificate exchanges occurred in agricultural machinery and agricultural materials stores, supporting farm management as well.

Yoo Doo-seok, the mayor of Jangseong-gun, said, "The local economy, which had been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, is turning to recovery through the prompt issuance of the Jangseong Sarang Gift Certificate," adding, "We will achieve livelihood stability and economic recovery through continuous issuance and discounted sales of the gift certificates."