Rise in Employment Rate in the First Half of the Year Amid COVID-19 Crisis: Gyeongnam Ranks 1st
Promoting Business and Employment Stability for Traditional Markets, Small Businesses, and Companies in the Post-COVID Era
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam, has taken proactive steps to revitalize the local economy by preparing administrative and financial support measures to revive residents' livelihoods and the regional economy, which have been depressed due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
In April, Hamyang-gun launched a 'Comprehensive COVID-19 Response Support Plan' consisting of 45 projects across six sectors.
As part of the support measures, the county has been promoting loan support to alleviate financial difficulties and stabilize management for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners, issuing additional Hamyang Love Gift Certificates with special discounts, operating market days, and implementing hope job projects.
From September, a special 10% discount event on Hamyang Love Gift Certificates has been held for three months to invigorate the depressed consumer sentiment and fully focus on revitalizing the local economy.
In particular, in preparation for the post-COVID era, through stabilizing management and employment of traditional markets, small business owners, and companies, the employment rate in the first half of the year increased by 2.6 percentage points compared to last year's 64.7%, ranking first in Gyeongnam and third nationwide, marking a remarkable achievement.
The county plans to fully mobilize its capabilities to prepare mid- to long-term response plans for regional economic revitalization by conducting detailed analyses of the local economic situation in response to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
▲Top Employment Rate in Gyeongnam in the First Half Amid COVID Crisis
Despite the global disaster of COVID-19, Hamyang-gun's employment rate for those aged 15 and over in the first half of this year was 67.3%, an increase of 2.6 percentage points from 64.7% last year.
Additionally, the employment rate for the population aged 15 to 64 was 73.9%, and the economic activity participation rate was 68.1%, rising by 2.1 percentage points and 2.8 percentage points respectively compared to the previous year.
▲Emergency Financial Support for SMEs and Small Business Owners
To stabilize management and alleviate financial difficulties of SMEs and small business owners, a total of 6.7 billion KRW was provided as loans to 176 businesses in the first half, including emergency COVID-19 support.
In the second half, loans amounting to 5.2 billion KRW were allocated to 233 businesses, with loan execution completed by the end of August.
▲Discount Sales and Expanded Issuance of Hamyang Love Gift Certificates
To invigorate the livelihood economy and foster a consumption-promoting atmosphere, an additional 4.8 billion KRW worth of 'Hamyang Love Gift Certificates' was issued in the first half of the year.
In response to the increasing use of mobile payment methods in the distribution environment, on May 25, 200 million KRW worth of mobile Hamyang Love Gift Certificates linked with Zero Pay were issued.
▲Zero Pay Payback Event Conducted
Starting August 20, with a budget of 69 million KRW, a Zero Pay payback event was held to help local small business owners and self-employed individuals recover sales amid difficulties caused by the COVID-19 situation.
This event refunds 5,000 KRW in Hamyang Love Gift Certificates when a person uses 50,000 KRW or more on Zero Pay gift certificates within a week, with a maximum reward of up to 45,000 KRW.
Payments made with Zero Pay gift certificates (mobile Hamyang Love Gift Certificates) in Hamyang-gun are automatically entered into the event, and winners are notified individually via text message by the 10th of the following month after the month of use.
▲Market Revitalization through Market Day Operation
Since June, Hamyang-gun has designated and operated the first and third Wednesdays of every month as 'Market Day,' with participation from all county office staff.
The Market Day event strictly adheres to social distancing and other quarantine rules due to COVID-19, and purchases were made using Hamyang Love Gift Certificates.
This month, Market Day will be held on the 2nd and 22nd with strict compliance to quarantine guidelines.
Seochunsoo, the mayor of Hamyang-gun, said, "Although both SMEs and small business owners are facing difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, today's hardships could become opportunities for greater development tomorrow. We will do our best to revitalize the local economy so that residents can engage in production and consumption activities with peace of mind. We will also focus our efforts on discovering projects that can help struggling SMEs and small business owners and attracting companies that can create many jobs."
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