Article 1. Gyeonggi Governor Visits Small & Medium Enterprises (0901-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil visits small and medium-sized enterprises as his first field visit of every month. This month, he visited a pharmaceutical company and reviewed current issues in the pharmaceutical industrial.
[Report]
Hyangnam Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex, Hwaseong
While touring this medium-sized pharmaceutical company in Korea’s largest pharmaceutical industrial complex, located in Hwaseong (화성) City of Gyeonggi Province, Governor Nam donned a worker’s uniform and had first-hand experience working in a production line.
Informal Talks with Pharmaceutical Industrial Personnel
Governor Nam also invited pharmaceutical industry leaders to an informal meeting to discuss administrative issues relating to this industry.
[Soundbite]Uh Jin / CEO of Ahngook Pharmaceutical Co.
“From next year, it will be compulsory to indicate a serial number on each production lot. While we understand the necessity for such a practice, it will cost us in terms of equipment and manpower, and soI suggest that effectuation be deferred.”
Public transportation for employees was also discussed at the meeting.
[Soundbite]Choi Yeong-soon / Employee, Dong Koo Bio & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
“There are no local buses that run through here, so all 3,500 employees are having problems commuting.”
On hearing the issues, Governor Nam suggested possible solutions.
Governor Nam Promises Early Resolution of Transportation Problems
He promised that transportation problems relating to entry roads and bus routes that can be addressed immediately will be handled within this year.
Medium & Long-term Issues to Be Addressed through Administrative Processes
Nam also promised that medium and long-term issues relating to investments and regulations will be addressed through the development of supportive measures.
[Soundbite]Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“There are regulations and costs which are inevitable. We will introduce such changes in phases in a more realistic manner.”
Six out of Eleven Issues Resolved On Site during Governor’s Field Visit Last Month
During Governor Nam’s small-and-medium enterprise field visit last month, six of eleven issues raised were resolved on site.
Governor Nam will continue these monthly visits to identify problems faced by enterprises first hand and to help resolve them more effectively.
 
Article 2. Gyeonggi to Introduce Food Waste Reduction Reward Program (0902-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
From the second half of next year, Gyeonggi Province will reward households that dispose of reduced amounts of food waste with pay-as-you-throw trash bags. Our reporter examined the details.
[Report]
The Food Waste Reduction Reward Program will be operated in combination with user-recognizing food waste disposal containers that were introduced earlier this year.
Food Waste Disposal Container with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
These containers are equipped with RFID readers that recognize users and the amount of food waste disposed of by each user.
[Interview]Kim Ran-sik / Qonseon-dong, Suwon
“I have been trying to reduce food waste since (the introduction of RFID). I always wring out water from food waste before throwing it away.”
Food Waste Reduction Rewards Based on RFID Records
Using food waste disposal containers with RFID readers, households that produce significantly reduced amounts of food waste can be identified and rewarded with pay-as-you-throw trash bags.
The amount of disposed food waste in Gyeonggi Province has been declining since 2008.
However, with the introduction of the Food Waste Reduction Reward Program, the amount is expected to decrease further.
[Interview]Kim Dong-seong / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Recycle Team
“The success of this program depends entirely on the involvement of homemakers. With incentives such as rewards, the amount of disposed food waste is expected to decrease while reducing provincial expenditures.”
Food Waste Reduction Reward to Begin Second Half of Next Year
After analyzing the food waste disposal data of each household over a period of one year, pay-as-you-throw trash bags will be provided as rewards from the second half of next year.
The provincial government will begin a campaign to encourage more household interest in this program.
 
Article 3. Gyeonggi Institute to Open Cactus Research Center (0903-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On August 21, groundbreaking for a cactus genetic research center took place at a Gyeonggi agricultural institute. Gyeonggi Province has been one of the world leaders in cactus breed development and export.
[Report]
The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services has developed a large variety of cactus breeds.
Many of these Gyeonggi cactus breeds are unique in their colors and shapes, and are gaining popularity in international markets.
[CG]Those breeds that were developed through the grafting of two different breeds are especially popular in the Netherlands and the United States, marking nearly USD 4 million dollars in exports last year.
Cactus Genetic Research Center Groundbreaking Ceremony / GARES (August 21)
This new research center with its own research greenhouses will be solely dedicated to cactus genetic research for the support of cactus breed development.
Research Greenhouse to Be Built with Plexiglass
Of particular note, the research greenhouses will be built with plexiglass, a high-tech synthetic resin material.
[CG]Commonly used in aircraft windows, plexiglass has excellent trans-illumination and heat-retaining properties, providing ideal conditions for botanical genetic research.
Improvement in Genetic Marterial Collection and Preservation
The new research greenhouses will enable the more organized collection and preservation of genetic material from fleshy plants such as cacti.
[Interview]Lim Jae-wook / Director, Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services
“We will collect as much genetic material as we can to develop excellent breeds. We will be able to cater to the needs of cactus lovers with a greater variety of cacti and contribute to the advancement of cactus industry.”
12 m-High Cactus Research Greenhouses to Be Completed on 660m2 Site by February 2015
The three-story research greenhouses will be completed on a 660 square meter site by February of 2015.
Cactus Festival Begins on September 19
The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services also plans to hold a cactus festival from September 19 so as to promote provincial cactus breeds.
 
Article 4.Gyeonggi `Self-Supporters’Day Market, Chak∙Chak∙Chak Festival (0903-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
On September 2, a day market was held at Suwon (수원) Station Plaza. Titled Chak∙Chak∙Chak (착착착) Festival, this event featured products made by self-supporting individuals and their businesses in Gyeonggi Province.
[Report]
2014 Gyeonggi Province Self-Supporter Expo/ Suwon Station Plaza (September 2)
It is early in the morning, and Lee Seon-sook(이선숙)’s booth is already bustling with viewers interested in the colorful hand-made dolls and dish cloths. These are all made by Lee herself, who learned how to knit at a self-support center over three years.
[Interview]Lee Seon-sook / Booth Runner, Hwaseong City Self-Support Center
“I have a fairly reasonable income from knit work and handicrafts. I also participate in various events.”
Displayed at another booth are tasty cookies and donuts made by seniors who acquired baker’s licenses.
[Interview]Byeon So-yeong / Yonggonk-dong, Cheonan
“I like bread, and these breads are very tasty. I can trust the quality because they are made by senior citizens.”
Chak∙Chak∙Chak Festival
Organized for the second time following the first event in 2012, this open market festival aims to help self-supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities as well as their common business endeavors. The market features booths with a variety of products such as confectioneries and preserved foods.
[Interview]Lee Han-gyeong / General Director, Gyeonggi Province Health and Welfare Bureau
“The objectives of this event are to promote products made by self-supporting individuals and to provide their business endeavors with a joint marketing opportunity.”
Gyeonggi Province will continue to aid self-supporting individuals with their businesses through promotional events and production financing for the improvement of their competitiveness.
 
Article 5. Booth Space for G-Fair Korea Filled Up Early (0903-1)
[Anchor’s Headline]
G-Fair Korea, organized by Gyeonggi Province, is the largest trade fair for small and medium businesses in Korea. It is slated to open on October 1. All available booth space, however, has already been filled up two months before the deadline.
[Report]
This year’s G-Fair Korea will be supported by better access and facilities for visitors from abroad, and will feature a wider range of innovative products like this waterless shampoo.
Waterless Shampoo
Developed by a medium-sized company, this shampoo contains only natural ingredients. It has a stronger cleansing effect than ordinary products, and has already acquired safety approval from the FDA of the United States.
[PiP-Interview]Jeong Seok-hoon / CEO of KORSOA, Ltd.
“This shampoo is suitable for patients in bed. It can also be used anytime and anywhere by those who are engaged in outdoor activities or long drives.”
G-Fair Korea / KINTEX, Goyang (October 1 – 4)
G-Fair Korea, which features many interesting products, will be held at KINTEX in Goyang City of Gyeonggi Province from October 1 to 4.
More Than 1,100 Booths, 820 Enterprises
More than 20,000 products including household appliances as well as IT, fashion, beauty and leisure items will be introduced at 1,100 booths operated by 820 enterprises from all over the country.
Launched in 1999, G-Fair Korea has now become the representative trade fair of small and medium enterprises in Korea.
[Interview]Lee Joon-woo / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Small & Medium Business Center Exhibition & Convention Team
“There will be many enterprises with amazing technological capabilities and innovative new products. Buyers will have a good opportunity to source items while visitors can purchase good products at discounted prices.”
G-Fair Korea is also co-hosted by the Small and Medium Business Centers Association and supported by related Korean government agencies including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
 
Article 6. Hwaseong Grapes Pass Australian Quarantine Requirements (0904-2)
[Anchor’s Headline]
The grapes of Hasweong (화성) City of Gyeonggi Province recently passed Australian quarantine requirements, some of the strictest in the world, and have added Australia to their export markets.
[Report]
Vineyard, Hwaseong
The grapes produced from the nutrient-rich soil of Hwaseong(화성) are well known for their fullness and high sugar content.
170 Tons of Hwaseong Grapes Sold Annually to More Than 10 Countries
The Hwaseong(화성) Grape Export Cooperative has been exporting more 170 tons of grapes annually to more than ten countries including Singapore, Canada and the United States.
Hwaseong Grapes to Be Exported to Australia
Consisting of forty grape farms, the cooperative can now sell their harvests to Australia.
[PiP-Interview]William Patterson, Australian Ambassador to Korea
“We want to keep pests and diseases out of Australia, so we have very tough quarantine. Hwaseong grapes have now met our conditions and, therefore, they can be marketed and sold…“
The Korean government has been attempting to export grapes to Australia since 1993 and, finally, Hwaseong (화성) grapes succeeded in passing the strict cultivation and quarantine requirements set by the Australian government.
Passing the Australian quarantine is meaningful in that the grape cultivation techniques of Gyeonggi Province and the credibility of Korean plant quarantine are now truly recognized internationally.
Since grape harvesting periods differ between Korea and Australia, the outlook for the export of Hwaseong (화성) grapes to Australia is bright.
The first shipment of twenty-six tons of Hwaseong (화성) grapes is expected to leave for Australia soon.
[Interview]Kim Choong-beum / Director, Gyeonggi Provincial Agricultural Products Distribution Division
“We expect that Gyeonggi brand grapes will gain increasing recognition and demand both internationally and locally.”
When the free trade agreement with Australia goes into effect, the competitiveness of Gyeonggi grapes will be even greater because they will be exempted from the seasonal tariff which is currently 45 percent.
 
Article 7. Environmental Safety Technical Support Team of Gyeonggi Province (0901-3)
[Anchor’s Headline]
Since its inauguration six months ago, the Environmental Safety Technical Support Team of Gyeonggi Province has made remarkable achievements. Hundreds of enterprises have benefited from its services in the management of contaminant waste.
[Report]
Adhesive Tape Manufacturer
Several years ago, this adhesive tape manufacturer installed an expensive deodorization incinerator to control foul order generated from its production lines.
However, the number of public complaints filed by local residents showed no signs of diminishing.
Upon hearing about the environmental safety technical support of Gyeonggi Province, this company contacted the team.
A group of scholars, technicians and public officials then gathered at the site and, finally, was able to identify the cause of the problem as well as an economical solution.
[Interview]Park Yeong-hwan / Director, Yonwoo Corp.
“(Environmental Safety Technical Support)saves us a lot of money and effort since it provides support in all aspects from specialist manpower to technical information and exchanges to all other cost elements.”
This environmental support team was organized in April this year to provide enterprises facing environmental issues with one-stop technical support free of charge.
Gyeonggi Environmental Safety Technical Support Team, ‘e-safe’
Consisting of seventy specialists from environment-related organizations, the Gyeonggi Environmental Safety Technical Support Team provides customized consultation services.
Consultation Service for Practical Resolution of Environmental Problems
In addition to the comprehensive consultation services, this team is also commended for its responsible management of issues to their ultimate resolution.
[Interview]Byeon Jin-won / Director, Gyeonggi Province Environmental Safety Management Division
“Previous similar services were not effective because support was provided individually by a number of different organizations. This team-based integrated support is technically more scientific and effective…”
234 Enterprises Benefited
Over the past six months, the Gyeonggi Environmental Safety Technical Support Team has helped small enterprises resolve environmental problems at 230 sites with dedicated services of high technical caliber.