SBC, Suncheon City, and Korea Railroad Corporation Gwangju Jeonnam Headquarters Sign MOU to Revitalize Traditional Markets

Park Sung-hyo, Chairman of the Small Enterprise and Market Service (first from the right), is taking a group photo at the business agreement for revitalizing traditional markets in collaboration with the Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo.

The Small Enterprise and Market Service announced on the 21st that it has signed a 'Business Agreement for Revitalizing Traditional Markets in conjunction with the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo' at Suncheon City Hall with Suncheon City and the Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters of Korea Railroad Corporation.

The signing ceremony was attended by 15 people, including Park Seong-hyo, Chairman of Small Enterprise and Market Service, Noh Gwan-gyu, Mayor of Suncheon, Ji Yong-tae, Head of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters of Korea Railroad Corporation, and officials from each organization.

This agreement was prepared to revitalize the local economy by attracting tourists visiting the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo to Suncheon City, traditional markets, and local commercial districts. It aims to promote consumption through tourism voucher support and promotion of rechargeable card-type Onnuri gift certificates.

To this end, Small Enterprise and Market Service and Suncheon City will distribute and support tourism vouchers usable from May 9 to 15 during the Spring Light Companion Festival in May to create a consumption atmosphere. Korail Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters will promote the rechargeable card-type Onnuri gift certificates using electronic display boards inside Suncheon Station.

The vouchers will be distributed as one 5,000 KRW voucher per person at the main, west, and south gates' comprehensive information centers of Suncheonman National Garden and can be used at Ujang, Araetjang, and Yeokjeon markets until May 15. However, if the vouchers run out early due to active participation in events by tourists, the period may end early.

Additionally, promotion of the 'rechargeable card-type Onnuri gift certificates,' launched last August and currently offering a 10% ongoing discount, will be conducted together to invigorate traditional markets and shopping districts in the Suncheon area.

Park Seong-hyo, Chairman of Small Enterprise and Market Service, said, “We expect that this program, which links the Companion Festival and local festivals through collaboration between Small Enterprise and Market Service, Suncheon City, and Korea Railroad Corporation, will greatly contribute to revitalizing domestic consumption.” He added, “We hope that the May Companion Festival and the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo will be opportunities to breathe new life into traditional markets and shopping districts struggling due to the economic downturn.”

Meanwhile, to revitalize domestic consumption, special sales of Onnuri gift certificates, which were previously limited to holidays, are now conducted year-round. The rechargeable card-type and mobile gift certificates are currently offered at a 10% discount. The monthly purchase limit per individual has also been expanded to 1.5 million KRW. Furthermore, various consumer benefits related to the use of traditional markets and shopping districts have been established, such as increasing the income deduction for traditional markets from 40% to 50%.