Laying the Foundation for Strengthening the Self-Sufficiency of Local Small Businesses
Mokpo City delivered alley-type shopping district designation certificates to local merchants and took steps to revitalize the local commercial area. Photo by Mokpo City.
Mokpo City in South Jeolla Province has designated its first "alley-type shopping districts" in an effort to strengthen the self-sufficiency of local small commercial areas and has officially begun revitalizing neighborhood businesses.
On September 16, the city held a certificate delivery ceremony at City Hall and announced the official designation of seven local commercial areas as alley-type shopping districts.
The newly designated districts include: Yeojeon Back Alley Shopping District, Peace Square Circular Road Alley-type Shopping District, Geumho Sarang Alley-type Shopping District, Mokpo Live Fish Plaza Alley-type Shopping District, Seafood Town General Shopping District Alley-type Shopping District, Seafood Town Complex Shopping District Alley-type Shopping District, and Jungang Food Street Alley-type Shopping District. In total, these seven locations comprise 302 stores.
An alley-type shopping district is designated in areas where small business owners are concentrated, outside of traditional markets or large commercial zones, provided certain requirements are met. Designated businesses can receive support such as registration as Onnuri Gift Certificate affiliates and participation in government and local government public projects. Consumers can also purchase goods at a 5-10% discount using Onnuri Gift Certificates.
In September of last year, the city revised its ordinance, in consultation with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, to lower the minimum number of stores required for designation from 30 to 20, thereby establishing an institutional foundation. Since then, the city has focused its administrative efforts on supporting on-site inspections and the formation of merchant associations for 31 major commercial areas.
A city official stated, "This first designation has laid the groundwork for small commercial areas to secure competitiveness," and added, "We will continue to discover new shopping districts and expand support so that the local alley economy can regain its vitality."
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