Wando-gun Holds Forum to Explore Strategies for Fostering Marine Bioindustry

Discussion on Establishing a Marine Bio Material Supply Base in the Southwestern Coastal Area

[Wando=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, held the ‘2nd Marine Bioindustry Promotion Committee Meeting and Forum’ on the 1st at the Wando-gun Office large conference room.

The forum was attended by 18 participants including Kang Seong-woon, Deputy Governor of Wando, experts from marine bio institutions and academia such as Jeonnam Province, Korea Maritime Institute, Marine Bio Research Center, and company representatives.

Before the forum, members of the Marine Bio Promotion Committee, established based on the ‘Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Marine Bioindustry in Wando-gun’ enacted in 2020, were appointed.

Following this, the progress of promoting Wando-gun’s seaweed-specialized marine bioindustry was explained, and presentations were made on topics such as ‘The Future of Wando, the Future Value of the Marine Bioindustry’ and ‘Current Status of Marine Bio Material Research and Development and the Development Direction of Wando Marine Bioindustry.’ A discussion on establishing a supply base for marine bio materials in the southwestern coastal area was also held.

Jang Deok-hee, Director of Research Planning at the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, who gave a keynote presentation, emphasized, “Wando-gun’s marine bioindustry infrastructure is a strength compared to other regions,” adding, “We must utilize the marine bioindustry as an opportunity for regional development by compensating for weaknesses such as the lack of local research and development capabilities, residential conditions and accessibility, and the seaweed industry being a simple processing-centered local industry.”

Dr. Han Jong-won of the National Marine Biodiversity Institute said, “The Wando-gun marine bioindustry cluster is in its early stages of establishment. When core companies that will become the sprouts of the cluster, such as the Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center and the Marine Bio Joint Cooperation Research Institute, and the internal network achieve balanced centrifugal force, a successful marine bio cluster can be built.”

During the discussion following the presentations, various opinions were presented, including strategies for the marine bioindustry, attracting national research institutions for private company settlement, Wando-gun’s pivotal role among administration, research, and companies, development of programs for talent cultivation and support, and food tech development utilizing functional components of seaweed.

Kang Seong-woon, Deputy Governor of Wando, stated, “We will actively collect the diverse opinions proposed by the promotion committee composed of experts from various fields to ensure that Wando-gun takes its place at the center of the southwestern coastal marine bioindustry cluster,” adding, “We will do our best to promote the marine bioindustry as a future new growth engine industry.”

Meanwhile, the county is accelerating the construction of marine bio infrastructure such as the Marine Bio Joint Cooperation Research Institute, seaweed active material certification and production facilities, Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center, and cosmetic material production support facilities.

Wando=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil alwatros@asiae.co.kr