Selected for the Competitiveness Enhancement Project for Aging Key Industrial Complexes by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
33 Projects to Be Implemented, Including the Establishment of a Smart Energy Platform
On May 12, Chungnam Province announced that the Bugok District of the Dangjin Asan National Industrial Complex has been finally selected as a candidate site for the Competitiveness Enhancement Project for Aging Key Industrial Complexes, a public contest jointly organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Accordingly, Chungnam Province and Dangjin City plan to invest approximately 674 billion won in 33 projects in the Bugok District of the Dangjin Asan National Industrial Complex. These projects include the establishment of green steel smart infrastructure, the creation of a smart energy platform, support for facilitating business transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, the provision of job-linked housing, and the installation of workplace daycare centers.
In addition, the district will receive incentives such as priority in various projects supported and promoted by central government ministries including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as well as additional points in future public contests.
As of last year, 180 industrial complexes had been established in Chungnam Province, with total production within these complexes amounting to 133 trillion won (ranked fourth nationwide) and exports reaching 50.8 billion dollars (ranked third nationwide), making Chungnam a key pillar of the Korean economy.
As of 2023, 137,866 people, accounting for 44.3% of all manufacturing workers in Chungnam, are employed in the province's industrial complexes, leading regional development. The residential conditions for industrial complex workers are therefore considered an important factor for both the business environment and regional growth.
However, currently, 60% (77 complexes) of the operating industrial complexes in Chungnam are aging. The competitiveness of these complexes is weakening due to outdated infrastructure, avoidance of work by young talent, and a lack of cultural and convenience facilities.
With the selection of the Bugok District of the Dangjin Asan National Industrial Complex for the Competitiveness Enhancement Project for Aging Key Industrial Complexes, the province plans to transform these aging complexes to ensure their sustainability.
Through this initiative, Chungnam expects to achieve a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, foster 70 digital transformation-completed companies (85 companies), improve the value-added rate of manufacturing companies by 10%, and create approximately 2,500 jobs. These outcomes are anticipated to significantly contribute to revitalizing the local economy and enhancing the competitiveness of core industries.
An Ho, Director of the Industrial Economy Bureau of Chungnam Province, stated, "Going forward, we will join forces with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Dangjin City to revitalize the aging Bugok District of the Asan National Industrial Complex and surrounding linked industrial complexes, and actively respond to strengthening the competitiveness of the regional industry."
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