Establishment of Basic Medium- and Long-Term Support Plans for Small Business Owners Based on First Half-Year Survey
Active Promotion of Support Policies and Two-Way Communication through Customized Integrated Platform
Approximately KRW 22 Billion in Low-Interest Loans Supported This Year; Work Environment Improvement Project for Apparel Manufacturers Implemented
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will implement various projects to support small business owners who are struggling due to the economic downturn and high interest rates following COVID-19.
According to the 2019 basic status statistics of Seoul, there are 21,505 small business establishments (with fewer than 5 regular employees) in Nowon-gu, employing 36,228 people.
To ensure smooth project execution, the district established a dedicated small business support team (photo) and is conducting ▲a small business owners’ survey service ▲customized integrated platform construction ▲low-interest loan support projects ▲and other small business support initiatives.
First, a survey service on small business owners located in Nowon-gu will be conducted in the first half of the year. Through this service, general business status, management conditions, awareness of support policies, and difficulties will be investigated to establish a basic medium- and long-term support plan for small business owners. Requirements will be identified by age and residence, with special attention to reflecting the voices of youth enterprises, those aged 60 and above, and women entrepreneurs in policies to promote specialized projects.
A customized integrated platform for small business owners will also be built. Through two-way communication, the platform will listen to the difficulties of small business owners and promote support projects. Various methods such as producing informational materials and sending text messages will be explored to ensure no small business owner misses out on support due to lack of information.
The low-interest loan support project for small business owners struggling with high interest rates will continue. Small business owners can receive loans of up to KRW 200 million per company at an annual interest rate of 1.5% through the ‘Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund Loan,’ with a total annual scale of KRW 2 billion. Additionally, a ‘Special Low-Interest Credit Guarantee Loan for Small Business Owners’ will be provided at an annual interest rate around 2%, totaling approximately KRW 20 billion. This amount is double that of last year, with a maximum loan of KRW 30 million per company.
Furthermore, the district operates an exhibition hall in the first-floor lobby of the district office to support small business owners facing difficulties in market development. Last year, a total of 24 products were promoted and sold.
Also, through the apparel manufacturers’ work environment improvement support project, basic environments such as fire extinguishers and fire detectors will be improved, and equipment to enhance work efficiency such as automatic cutting tables will be supported. Last year, 12 locations were improved to safe and comfortable working environments through this project.
Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “Supporting small business owners is key to revitalizing the local economy,” and added, “We will do our best to build an organic support system for small business owners and to resolve their management difficulties and revitalize commercial districts.”
Publication of '2023 Gwanak-gu Alleyway Commercial District and Small Business Support Guide' Booklet
Containing Various Useful Projects for Alleyway Merchants and Small Business Owners at a Glance
Posted on Gwanak-gu Office Website and Available at Nearby Community Service Centers
Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) published the '2023 Gwanak-gu Alleyway Commercial District and Small Business Support Guide' booklet containing useful information for small business owners and actively supports their participation in various support projects.
The guidebook introduces various projects implemented by Gwanak-gu to revitalize alleyway commercial districts, divided into two sections: ‘Major Alleyway Commercial District Projects’ and ‘Major Support Projects for Small Business Owners’ for easy understanding.
Under ‘Major Alleyway Commercial District Projects,’ support for merchant study group activities for clubs with common interests among merchants and the operation of the 2nd Merchant University project to strengthen merchant capabilities in store management and marketing are introduced.
Additionally, it includes ▲support for small business owners’ SNS video content production and promotion ▲support for online open market entry ▲core store development projects ▲and integrated events to promote commercial district usage.
Under ‘Major Support Projects for Small Business Owners,’ detailed information is provided on store improvement projects such as the ‘Gwanak-style Artterior Support Project,’ financial support projects including the ‘Gwanak-gu Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund Loan Support,’ and the issuance of ‘Gwanak Love Gift Certificates.’
A district official said, “The guidebook was produced reflecting residents’ opinions that they missed out on projects due to lack of information,” and added, “We will spare no effort to provide various supports so that the vital alleyway commercial districts can be revitalized.”
The '2023 Gwanak-gu Alleyway Commercial District and Small Business Support Guide' booklet is posted on the Gwanak-gu Office website and can be obtained by visiting nearby community service centers.
Dongdaemun-gu Holds Pre-Orientation for First Half-Year Safe Job Project
Pre-Orientation Held on the 30th Morning for 310 Participants of the First Half-Year Safe Job Project
Guidance on Safety and Labor Conditions during Work... Employment for 5 Months until June 30
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) held a pre-orientation session at 10 a.m. on the 30th for participants of the 2023 first half-year Safe Job Project.
The orientation was conducted as a pre-education session on safety precautions and labor conditions before participants begin their official duties.
A total of 310 participants were selected for the 2023 first half-year Safe Job Project based on high scores considering eligibility criteria, asset holdings, household income, and the number of times participating in public jobs.
Participants will be assigned to district office departments and community service centers and will work for five months from January 30 to June 30.
Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, who attended the event, said, “During cold weather like these days, accidents are more likely to happen, so please pay special attention to health and safety,” and added, “I hope this Safe Job Project will be a good opportunity for participants to gain work experience, and the district will continue to make efforts to support various jobs for vulnerable employment groups.”
Eunpyeong-gu Supports Up to KRW 4 Million for Manufacturing Facility Improvements, 10% Self-Payment Required
Applications Accepted from January 30 to February 17
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that it will promote a facility improvement support project to enhance the working environment and production facilities of small-scale manufacturing companies.
Many manufacturing companies face chronic difficulties due to lack of investment capacity and poor working environments. To alleviate this burden, Eunpyeong-gu is implementing a project that supports 90% of the facility improvement costs, up to KRW 4 million per company.
Eligible applicants are small manufacturers registered in Eunpyeong-gu and operating for more than one year, with fewer than 10 regular employees.
The application period is from January 30 to 6 p.m. on February 17, and selection will be made through document review and on-site evaluation. Detailed announcements including application forms can be found on the Eunpyeong-gu Office website under Notices and Announcements.
Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, “We hope many manufacturing companies in need of facility improvements will apply,” and added, “We hope this will provide some help to companies struggling with management in this era of high prices.”
Mapo-gu’s 2023 Standard Land Price Falls 6.23% Compared to Previous Year
Objections Can Be Filed Until February 23; Decline Larger than National Average
District Office Accepts Objection Submissions and Sends Them Directly to Facilitate Residents’ Administrative Convenience
Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Kang-soo) is conducting a public inspection of the ‘2023 Standard Land Price’ announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and accepting objections until February 23.
The standard land price for 1,343 plots in the district fell by 6.23% compared to last year, which is a larger decline than the national average of 5.92% and Seoul’s 5.86%.
Considering the recent housing price decline, transaction freeze, and difficult economic conditions, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport lowered the realization rate to ease the burden of real estate holding taxes in 2023, resulting in a price drop compared to the previous year.
The standard land price can be inspected and objections filed within 30 days from the announcement date. It can be viewed on the Real Estate Price Notification Service or at the Mapo-gu Real Estate Information Division until February 23.
If there are objections to the announced prices, residents can visit the Ministry’s Real Estate Evaluation Division or Mapo-gu Real Estate Information Division during the inspection period to submit objections, or file objections online via the Real Estate Price Notification Service.
Objections received by February 23 will be re-investigated and re-evaluated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, reviewed by the Central Real Estate Price Public Notice Committee, and adjusted and announced on March 16.
Park Kang-soo, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “Since the objection period for the standard land price is fixed, please be mindful of the deadline,” and added, “Mapo-gu will provide consultation on the inspection and objection procedures and methods, and offer administrative services such as receiving objection forms and sending them to the Ministry on behalf of residents to facilitate their administrative convenience.”
The ‘Standard Land Price,’ which serves as the basis for individual land price assessments, taxes, and various charges, is the price per unit area (㎡) surveyed and evaluated by appraisal firms commissioned by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport under the Real Estate Price Public Notice Act.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
