Stabilizing Prices for Ordinary Citizens
Gijang County Launches Public Utility Bill Support for Good Price Stores
Gijang County in Busan (County Governor Jung Jongbok) will provide public utility bill support to local Good Price Stores to help stabilize the livelihoods of ordinary citizens amid rising inflation.
On June 12, Gijang County announced that it would officially launch a program to subsidize electricity bills for Good Price Stores, which contribute to price stability through affordable prices and friendly service, in order to ease their management burden.
This measure comes as local small businesses have been struggling to maintain prices in the face of high inflation, with Busan's consumer price index rising by 2.2% year-on-year as of May. In February, Gijang County amended the ordinance on support for Good Price Stores to establish a legal basis for the program, and after securing the necessary budget and completing administrative procedures, is now moving forward with the support initiative.
The program targets 25 designated Good Price Stores in the region. Eligible businesses must submit their electricity bill payment records for May through July to the Gijang County Job and Economy Division by August 22. Selected stores can receive up to 300,000 won per year in electricity bill support.
Jung Jongbok, Governor of Gijang County, stated, "I am grateful to local merchants who maintain good prices during this era of high inflation," and added, "We will provide a range of incentives to help relieve their burden and enable them to continue offering affordable prices."
According to Gijang County, Good Price Stores are selected based on criteria set by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, including prices lower than the local average, good hygiene, and friendly service. Currently, there are 25 designated stores in Gijang County, including restaurants and beauty salons.
New applications are also accepted. Applicants can check the eligibility requirements and required documents on the Gijang County website and apply in person at the Job and Economy Division. Final selection is made after an on-site inspection of price, hygiene, and service standards.
Once designated as a Good Price Store, businesses can receive various forms of administrative support in addition to public utility bill subsidies, including the production of official certification plaques, provision of consumables such as volume-based waste bags, napkins, and wet wipes, and distribution of promotional materials.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
