North Jeolla Province Holds 3rd CEO Knowledge Festival... Strengthening Cooperative Networks

"Expanding Financial Support for Small Business Owners
and Measures to Stabilize the Local Economy"

On November 26, North Jeolla Province held the "3rd CEO Knowledge Festival 2025" at the Lahan Hotel in Jeonju, attended by more than 400 participants, including CEOs of local small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, and officials from related organizations.

According to the province, the "CEO Knowledge Festival" is a representative breakfast forum designed to help local companies and small business owners seek future strategies and strengthen their cooperative networks amid rapidly changing industrial and consumer environments.

The event is co-hosted by the Jeonbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation, Jeonju Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MainBiz Jeonbuk Association, and Jeonbuk Small Business Association, and is operated with the goal of enhancing innovation capabilities and sharing knowledge among local companies. The day's event began with breakfast and a screening of an AI-related knowledge video, followed by the main program.

In his congratulatory remarks, North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Kwan-young said, "This year, North Jeolla Province has laid the foundation for economic recovery and industrial transformation. While strengthening the foundation for advanced industries such as AI, bio, renewable energy, and defense, we will continue to expand financial support for small business owners and measures to stabilize the local economy, so that everyone can leap forward together in the North Jeolla economy."

He added, "In the coming year, we plan to broadly integrate AI technology into the manufacturing, agricultural bio, and medical sectors to build an innovative industrial ecosystem. We will also strengthen livelihood economic policies, including the introduction of the Reliable Insurance and Hope-Filled Savings Account, and the expansion of special guarantees for childcare stability."

Kwon Jungyun, a research fellow at the Consumer Trend Analysis Center, delivered a special lecture on "Trend Korea 2026." Kwon analyzed the impact of rapidly changing technological environments and shifts in consumer behavior on overall business management, and presented the key trends that will define 2026.

A Q&A session was also held on site to help participating companies establish practical strategies.

Kwon emphasized, "For companies to achieve sustainable growth, they must accurately identify technological changes and shifts in consumption patterns and realign their core competencies," stressing the importance of digital transformation and data-driven decision making.

A provincial official stated, "Going forward, together with the Jeonbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation, we will continue to expand practical educational opportunities and cooperative networks, so that local companies and small business owners can remain competitive and grow even amid rapidly changing economic conditions."