Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Selects Five Bio-Specialized Complexes Including Pohang
First Ever Selection of Two National Advanced Strategic Industry Specialized Complexes in Korea
Pohang City was finally selected on the 27th for the national advanced strategic industry "Bio Specialized Complex" contest, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The opening ceremony of the Bio Future Technology Innovation Research Center (IRC), leading advanced bio global research, held in November last year.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy designated five regions as bio specialized complexes: Pohang and Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, as well as Incheon, Siheung in Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon, Chuncheon and Hongcheon in Gangwon Province, and Hwasun in South Jeolla Province.
With this selection as a bio specialized complex, Pohang achieved the remarkable feat of being the first city in the nation to be selected in two fields of the national advanced strategic industry specialized complexes, following last year's designation as a "secondary battery specialized complex."
With these consecutive selections, Pohang has secured a new growth engine for the local economy and created an opportunity to strengthen its position in the global market.
This selection as a bio specialized complex is the result of the dedication of local National Assembly members Kim Jungjae and Lee Sanghui, as well as the earnest efforts of many related organizations and Pohang citizens. It is expected to accelerate the establishment of the POSTECH Medical School and Smart Hospital in the future.
Pohang is a region where advanced research equipment such as the nation's only 3rd and 4th generation synchrotron radiation accelerators and cryo-electron microscopes are concentrated, along with world-class research-oriented universities like POSTECH, the Membrane Protein Research Institute, and the Pohang Biotechnology Center (PBC), a leading bio source technology research institute.
The selection for this specialized complex is evaluated as being based on Pohang's excellent research foundation, built over the past decade by investing in a rich bio infrastructure, which provides optimal conditions for the growth of bio companies.
The specialized complex covers approximately 5.86 million square meters, including Pohang's Small but Strong Research and Development Special Zone and Andong's National Bio-Life Industrial Complex. Pohang has worked tirelessly, leveraging its outstanding advanced R&D infrastructure, in collaboration with North Gyeongsang Province and Andong City, to attract the bio specialized complex.
In particular, by specializing in the entire cycle from research and development to production and quality advancement, focusing on vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, Pohang has united around the goal of becoming a vaccine hub for global health security, achieving this remarkable success.
Once designated as a specialized complex, a wide range of benefits will be provided, including expedited licensing, support for technology development, and workforce training necessary for fostering strategic industries.
Based on these benefits, Pohang will support the growth of bio companies, including the leading enterprise "Coripohang," and strengthen the infrastructure and support system needed to promote research and development (R&D) and technological advancement in the fields of biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology, aiming to establish itself as a leading city for Korea's future industries.
In addition, through the activation of business support facilities such as the Bio Open Innovation Center (BOIC) and Change Up Ground, Pohang plans to foster locally rooted companies, attract investment from promising bio companies, and implement various support policies to help these companies grow.
Furthermore, Pohang will focus on training customized talent to meet the needs of specialized complex companies and building international cooperation networks and strategic partnerships through the promotion of various international projects.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "Pohang is leading not only in secondary batteries but also in the bio sector, standing at the forefront of future industries. With the mission that Pohang's development is Korea's development, we will continue to develop Pohang into a world-class bio industry city. As the first local government to be designated as a specialized complex in two fields of the national advanced strategic industry, we will focus our administrative efforts to ensure that, if the National Advanced Strategic Industry Promotion Agency is newly established as a dedicated national institution for the operation and fostering of specialized complexes, it will be located in Pohang."
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