Traditional Market in Gyeonggi Province
(September 8, 2011)

Gyeonggi Province announces plans to invigorate traditional markets and stabilize market prices
More ‘one market – one university’ and onnuri gift certificates to come

– Gyeonggi Province designates ‘Traditional Market Day’ as part of its ‘Traditional Market Stimulation Plan’; sisterhood and onnuri gift certificates part of scheme

Governor Kim Moon-soo talks with Jeil Market merchants on August 30^th. ( GNews Plus Hwang Jin-hwan)

Gyeonggi Province will implement its ‘Traditional Market Stimulation Plan’ to boost domestic demand, stabilize prices, and revitalize traditional markets in the Gyeonggi Province area.

Gyeonggi Province announced its decision to implement the ‘Traditional Market Stimulation Plan’ on September 8^th. Related measures include the forging of sisterhood relationships between markets and universities, encouraging the use of onnuri gift certificates, and much more.

Under this scheme, KRW 1.86 billion will be invested to modernize 35 of the 186 traditional markets in Gyeonggi Province for the establishment of parking areas, arcades, and public restrooms.

The scheme will be run in conjunction with the ‘one market–one university’ project in order to promote the specialization of each market.

This year, five markets and five universities have formed sisterhood ties and been granted a total of KRW 4 billion (1.2 billion from the provincial government, 2.8 billion from city/county governments). So far, thirteen markets and universities have established ties, but the plan is to expand the figure to twenty by 2014.

Next year, the designated traditional markets will have their own portal site and smart phone applications to lure younger generations.

On the last day of August, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Province Merchants Association signed an agreement to stimulate the region’s traditional markets. Civil servants were granted a ‘Traditional Market Day’ to encourage their use of such markets. Sisterhood ties and the use of onnuri gift certificates are also part of the agreement.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government has declared the first Saturday of each month as ‘Traditional Market Day’ for provincial, city, county and other public organization personnel to enable them to shop for goods at traditional markets.

To generate a traditional market boom, 23 Gyeonggi Province offices have established sisterhood relationships with nearby traditional markets, and twenty-two more public organizations are expected to become involved in the movement.

As part of the sisterhood agreement, civil servants were given onnuri gift certificates that can be used for shopping, company outings and gift purchases at traditional markets during the Chuseok holidays.

The government has decided that 10% of all awards and prizes handed out at provincial, city, and county offices will be paid in the form of onnuri gift certificates. Companies and economy-related facilities were also encouraged to purchase holiday gifts with onnuri gift certificates.

Government workers who use traditional markets will also be given frequent incentives. The provincial government intends to foster resident participation by collecting traditional market reviews.

– Gyeonggi Province has designated the first Saturday of each month as ‘Traditional Market Day’ and encouraged provincial, city, and county personnel to shop at traditional markets. ( GNews Plus Hwang Jin-hwan)

As part of the provincial government’s efforts to revive traditional markets, the Gyeonggi Province Merchants Association has agreed to sell quality produce at reduced prices and to mark prices accordingly to earn consumer trust.

Gyeonggi Province’s Sin Nang-hyeon, director of the Economic Policy Division, said “We hope the traditional markets will help the public in these economically difficult times. It will be nice to see residents and civil servants cooperating together since this is vital for the project¡¯s success.”

Meanwhile, the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Corporation (GPPC) and the Anjung Traditional Market Merchants Association established a sisterhood agreement on August 6^th to boost traditional markets.

GPPC will promote the use of onnuri gift certificates and designate a ‘Traditional Market Day,’ while the local merchant guild will provide hygienic food supplies and high quality products.

The Gyeonggi Province Environment Bureau has also signed a sisterhood agreement with the Maesan Traditional Market Merchant Association. Bureau personnel will be encouraged to do their holiday shopping at the market. The Gyeonggi Small Business Center was paired with Suwon Station Market for the realization of mutual growth, and a purchase agreement worth KRW 2 million was signed as part of the stimus plan.

– GNews Plus News | Lim Jeong-seon isim123@hanmail.net

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