Changwon Special Mayor Hong Nampyo: "This Opportunity Zone Designation Will Be an Important Driving Force for Changwon's New Leap Forward"
Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam announced on the 26th that the Changwon National Industrial Complex area has been finally designated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as a Hydrogen-Based Future Mobility Opportunity Development Zone.
Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, is giving a greeting speech at the investment agreement ceremony on September 19.
With this designation, Changwon has secured an important opportunity to establish itself as a global hub for the hydrogen mobility industry and has laid the foundation for innovative growth looking ahead 50 years.
The Opportunity Development Zone covers an area of 591,145㎡ (approximately 180,000 pyeong) and involves a total of 11 major companies including Romansys, Bumhan Fuel Cell, and Bumhan Motors. These companies plan investments totaling 694.8 billion KRW, with a target of creating 982 new jobs.
In particular, the activation of the hydrogen-based mobility industry within the zone is expected to directly create over 7,000 jobs and induce employment for more than 10,000 people. Additionally, a production inducement effect worth 1.4 trillion KRW is anticipated.
◆ Active Government Support to Secure Global Competitiveness
Prior to the designation of the zone, Changwon City actively promoted the necessity of the project through cooperation with the Local Era Committee, government ministries, and research institutions, proving the justification for the Opportunity Development Zone designation. The zone plan incorporated attracting corporate investment centered on the hydrogen industry, industrial development, strengthening transportation accessibility, and linking with the Education Development Zone, which secured government approval.
Following on-site inspections and deliberations by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the area was officially designated as an Opportunity Development Zone on the 26th. Through this, Changwon is expected to become a center for industrial innovation and job creation focused on the hydrogen industry.
◆ Becoming the Hub of the Hydrogen-Based Mobility Industry
Changwon City plans to create a diverse industrial ecosystem centered on the hydrogen-based future mobility industry. Starting with public transportation sectors such as hydrogen buses and trams, the city intends to expand the industry in the mid-to-long term to special-purpose vehicles including hydrogen drones and UAM (Urban Air Mobility). Through this, Changwon will gain the competitiveness to emerge as a global hydrogen mobility hub.
Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, emphasized, “This Opportunity Development Zone designation will be an important driving force for Changwon’s new leap forward,” adding, “We will do our best to ensure it provides practical help to the local economy and job creation.”
Additionally, Changwon plans to link the Education Development Zone with the RISE project (Regional Innovation-Centered University Support System) to establish an industry-customized talent cultivation system and engage in regional innovation frameworks.
Growing Expectations from Companies: Jang Jeongsik, Chairman of Romansys, and Jeong Youngsik, Chairman of Bumhan Group, who plan to invest in the Opportunity Development Zone, stated, “Thanks to Mayor Hong Nampyo’s strong leadership, we have achieved the final designation of this Opportunity Development Zone,” and added, “We will grow into globally competitive companies through this designation and greatly contribute to revitalizing the local economy and creating jobs.”
The Importance of the Opportunity Development Zone: The Opportunity Development Zone is a core part of the government’s regional balanced development policy, designed to promote large-scale investment attraction and job creation in local areas. Through this designation, Changwon is expected to foster the hydrogen-based future mobility industry with exceptional tax benefits, regulatory exemptions, and financial support, bringing substantial changes to the regional economy.
Meanwhile, Changwon Special City will continue to grow as a key region leading the hydrogen-based mobility industry through comprehensive development strategies in various fields such as industrial innovation, job creation, and talent cultivation.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
