A Platform for Communication
to Boost Local Company Participation
in Construction Projects
Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) held a 'Roundtable for Revitalizing the Local Economy' at the Gimpo Manufacturing Convergence Innovation Center Convention Hall on July 30.
Gimpo City is taking a commemorative photo after concluding the "Meeting for Revitalizing the Local Economy" at the Gimpo Manufacturing Convergence Innovation Center Convention Hall on the 30th. Photo by Gimpo City
The roundtable was attended by Deputy Mayor Lee Seokbeom, senior city officials, members of the Gimpo City Construction-Related Business Association, representatives of the Korea Specialty Contractors Association Gimpo Chapter, and about 40 participants including procurement managers and site managers from 11 private construction companies.
This event was organized to promote greater participation of local companies in large-scale construction projects within the city, and to discuss information sharing and cooperation measures such as the status of joint housing projects.
Song Yugun, President of the Gimpo City Construction-Related Business Association, and Lee Yongdeok, President of the Korea Specialty Contractors Association Gimpo Chapter, stated, "There are insufficient opportunities for local companies to participate in redevelopment and maintenance projects," and emphasized, "There needs to be an institutional foundation so that competitive local companies can participate in practice."
They also pointed out, "Even though there are local companies with long track records and high quality, the reality is that the headquarters-centered procurement system prevents them from being connected to bidding," conveying the difficulties faced on the ground.
Private construction company procurement managers said, "We are willing to cooperate with local companies, but many of them do not meet the headquarters' registration criteria, such as quality and credit." They added, "If Gimpo City or the association can provide information and verification documents for outstanding companies, we can consider registration and bidding."
Some construction companies said they are internally reviewing the possibility of discovering and registering outstanding local companies on their own. They also explained that they are discussing various cooperation measures with Gimpo City, such as holding consultation sessions before the construction of model houses and using local products as commemorative gifts for new residents.
Deputy Mayor Lee Seokbeom of Gimpo City stated, "For the local economy to see real benefits, participation from local companies is essential," and added, "The city will act as a bridge so that competitive companies can be actively utilized."
Going forward, Gimpo City plans to increase local company participation rates through purchase consultation sessions with private construction companies, providing lists of outstanding companies, and strengthening performance reviews.
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