Incheon City, Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, and Research Institute Sign MOU for Songdo Relocation
Consolidation of Research Infrastructure in Bio, Pharmaceutical, Nano, and Environmental Fields
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Seoul Metropolitan Integrated Center of the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), a government-funded research institute, is expected to be established in Songdo International City within the Incheon Free Economic Zone by 2025.
On the 13th, Incheon City, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, and KBSI signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Songdo G Tower to cooperate on the construction of the KBSI Seoul Metropolitan Integrated Center in Incheon.
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Daejeon, KBSI integrates and manages national research infrastructure such as research facilities and equipment to promote basic science, and conducts research support and joint research related to analytical science and technology.
In addition to existing analytical support services, KBSI conducts advanced research on socially significant issues such as fine dust, geriatric diseases, and viruses, including the development and localization of research equipment. It also carries out mid- to long-term analytical science research centered on large-scale research infrastructure that universities or companies find challenging to undertake.
KBSI is promoting plans to build the Seoul Metropolitan Integrated Center in Songdo, which will consolidate research infrastructure in the fields of bio, pharmaceuticals, nano, and environment.
Incheon City plans to request a financial investment review for budget establishment in the second half of this year, proceed through approval procedures with related institutions including the city council, start construction in 2022, and complete it by 2025. The project budget will be composed of government and local government budgets as well as KBSI’s own funds.
Incheon City expects that once the KBSI Seoul Metropolitan Integrated Center moves into Songdo, research personnel and infrastructure in Incheon’s strategic industries of bio, nano, and environment will be concentrated, creating synergy.
Mayor Park Namchun said, "We are preparing and promoting strategies such as establishing a global bio hub to foster Incheon’s future industries," adding, "Attracting the Korea Basic Science Institute, a research and development (R&D) institution, will greatly support Incheon City’s strategy."
Shin Hyungsik, Director of the Korea Basic Science Institute, also stated, "By building the Seoul Metropolitan Integrated Center, we will concentrate the bio, pharmaceutical, nano, and environment research infrastructure currently dispersed across regional centers in one place," and added, "These fields are strategic industries for Incheon City, and we expect to establish various cooperative relationships not only for convergence research but also for supporting local industries."
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