Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.
I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week.

Article 1. Gyeonggi Golf Courses Agree to Cut Down on Insecticides (0324-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Some golf course operators in Gyeonggi Province have agreed to voluntarily reduce their use of chemical pesticides. These operators have signed an agreement on this issue with the Gyeonggi Provincial Government.

[Report]
The use of chemicals on golf courses is a world-wide concern in terms of the health of golfers as well as environmental impact.

▶ Regulations Rule Chemical Types Not Usage Amount
Since the use of highly toxic chemicals is prohibited on golf courses, alternative agents are being used in larger quantities to achieve the same desired effects.

[CG] The usage rate of pesticides on 150 golf courses in Gyeonggi Province is 18.5 kilograms per hectare. This is higher than the national average.
Without specific guidelines, the amount used is largely at the discretion of course operators.

▶ Seo Gwan-sik / Hwaseong Golf Club Manager
“We decided to reduce the use of chemicals to reduce soil contamination and to provide a safer environment to our clients.”

▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (March 20)
22 Golf Courses Sign Agreement for Reduced Chemical Usage
Twenty-two golf courses in the province signed an agreement with the provincial government to reduce their chemical usage by at least twenty percent by 2017 per their own schedules. Gyeonggi Province will provide administrative incentives to those that achieve exemplary performances.

▶ Pesticide Usage Expected to Decrease by More Than 5,000 kg
The pesticide usage amount that can be reduced at these golf courses is more than 5,000 kilograms a year.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Social Integration Vice Governor Lee Gi-woo
“This (movement) is expected to help environmental conservation and improve the image of the golf courses as well.”
Gyeonggi Province plans to involve at least half of the golf courses in the province, numbering approximately seventy, in this pesticide usage reduction movement by 2020.

Article 2. Gyeonggi Intensifies Online Marketing Support for SMEs (0324-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]
As part of international marketing support for small and medium enterprises, Gyeonggi Province has been providing SMEs with online commercial information and trade support. These endeavors have proven very effective. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Plastic Pump Manufacturer, Anyang
The products of this plastic pump manufacturer in Anyang (안양) City were highly recognized in Korea for their high quality and low prices, but this was not the case in overseas markets.

▶ Gyeonggi’s Online Marketing Support Helps Exports to European Markets
In 2013, Gyeonggi Province helped this company connect with potential European buyers through online marketing support which has now resulted in continual orders.

▶ Lee Jong-hun / CEO of Yechan Co., Ltd.
“We didn’t know how to begin to approach overseas markets with our products. We simply have no information. After we were selected (for provincial support), we were provided with the overseas market information we needed.”

▶ Online Overseas Marketing Support of Gyeonggi Province
Helps SMEs with International Product Launches
For the past ten years, Gyeonggi Province has been providing online overseas marketing support to SMEs that have high growth potential for their product launches in international markets.

▶ Overseas Trade Information and Promotion Support
The enterprises selected for this online international marketing support are provided with overseas trade information as well as opportunities to promote their products. Support also extends to assistance in actual dealings until closure in contract signings.

▶ Gwon Gyun-bo / Gyeonggi Province Overseas Marketing Team
“Most enterprises are unable to handle international marketing. This is why 24/365 support services are necessary.”

▶ Gyeonggi Province Business Support Website (www.egbiz.or.kr)
Applications for Online Overseas Marketing Support (Until March 31)
Gyeonggi Province extended the range of support and increased the number of support recipient enterprises to 200 this year. Applications for support are being received via Gyeonggi Province’s business support website. ?

Article 3. Gyeonggi Province Launches TB Prevention Campaign (0325-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]
On March 24, World Tuberculosis Day, Gyeonggi Province launched a TB prevention campaign and announced strengthened control measures for this disease. In Gyeonggi Province, more than seven thousand new TB patients are diagnosed annually.

[Report]

▶ TB Tops Prevalence and Fatality among Communicable Diseases
Although TB is more common in less developed regions of the world, it is still the number one killer among classified communicable diseases in Korea.

[Partial CG] TB claims more than four hundred lives in Gyeonggi Province annually.

▶ Suwon Station Plaza (March 24)
5th World Tuberculosis Day Campaign
On this World Tuberculosis Day, public health centers and related health organizations in the province staged a campaign to promote public awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. TB tests were also performed among population segments more vulnerable to this disease.

▶ [PiP] Seo Geun-ik / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Infectious Disease Management
“If you have persistent cold-like symptoms, experience phlegm with blood, or have a low fever for a prolonged period, it is best to go to a public health center for X-ray and phlegm tests.”

▶ Gyeonggi Province Increases TB Prevention Budget to KRW 6.8 Billion
Gyeonggi Province increased the budget for TB prevention this year for more extensive control of the disease.

▶ Foreigners and Adolescents to Receive Tests and Vaccines
Preventive tests and vaccinations will be provided, especially to foreigners and adolescents

▶ Lee Seong-yeon / Director, Korean National TB Association, Gyeonggi Branch
“Early diagnosis and treatment is very important for TB. Diagnosed patients will be provided with intensive treatments. Those who require more specialized care will be referred to hospitals specializing in TB.”
Gyeonggi Province will continue to promote public awareness and increase the number of specialists at public health centers for tematic control of tuberculosis.?

Article 4. Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale Opens on April 24 (0326-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]
The eighth Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale is slated to open simultaneously in the cities of Yeoju (여주), Icheon (이천) and Gwangju (광주) on April 24 with different thematic programs for each venue.

[Report]

▶ 8th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale (From April 24)
This year’s event, which will run for thirty-eight days from April 24, will feature ceramic artwork representing the past, pr
esent and future in thematic colors.

▶ Different Color Themes at 3 Venues
Each of the three venues will be feature its own color theme and offer a diversity of enjoyments for visitors.

▶ [PiP] Cho Gyeong-hui / Chief Official, Gyeonggi Province Tourism Division
“Prepare to travel through the history of ceramics. Visiting all three venues will provide you with a great opportunity to experience the past, present and future of the ceramic arts.”

▶ 800 Ceramic Artists from 43 Countries Participate in Gyeonggi Biennale
More than eight hundred ceramic artists from forty-three countries will participate in the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale. In addition to ceramic exhibitions featuring works from around the world, this event will also include a number of entertaining and experiential programs for children and adults.

▶ Tickets Available Online (www.kocef.org)
Tickets are already available via the website of the event, Ceramic Spectrum. The last event held two years ago was a great success attracting more than 200,000 visitors. The organizers expect to receive even more visitors this year since there will be more exciting exhibitions and varied programs.

Article 5. Gyeonggi Holds Simulated Safety Training against Terrorism (0323-1)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Gyeonggi Province operates its monthly Disaster Safety Meeting so as to implement activities necessary to safeguard the province from disasters. The latest such activity involved a simulated terrorist attack.

[Report]
A poison gas bomb explodes in a subway carriage. A Special Response Unit in protective gear arrives quickly and evacuates passengers in an orderly manner.

▶ Kang Hyo-ju / Chief of Gyeonggi Province Special Response Squad
“This training is intended to help related organizations practice their roles and improve their responses so as to ensure the safety of the province against terrorism and disasters.”
The Disaster Safety Meeting prescribed disaster training against terrorism this time.

▶ Stage 1. Explosion and Fire Caused by Terrorists
In the first stage, an explosion and fire are caused by terrorists.

▶ Stage 2. Rescue People from Poison gas
In the second stage, citizens are evacuated away from the poison gas.

▶ Stage 3. Operation of Disaster Management Headquarters
In the third stage, a disaster management headquarters begins operations.
A total of thirty-nine organizations including police, military and railroad authorities as well as the Ministry of Environment participated in this simulated terrorist poison gas attack on a subway. The focus of the training was to realize timely and coordinated responses among related organizations.

▶ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil
“All personnel who participated in this training must have also realized that it cannot end simply as training.”
The Disaster Safety Meeting of Gyeonggi Province is held monthly to prepare for various disaster situations such as snow storms, subway collisions and sink holes. The next monthly meeting will discuss the control of epidemics such as Ebola and SAS, and will involve the Health and Welfare Bureau and public health centers.

Article 6. Peruvian Officials Benchmark Gyeonggi Province (0325-3)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Peruvian officials visited Gyeonggi Province as part of the ‘Economic and Social Development Benchmarking Tour’ organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency. Our reporter examined the details.

[Report]

▶ Gyeonggi Human Resources Development Center
These South American officials visited the Gyeonggi Human Resource Development Center.

▶ ‘Economic and Social Development Benchmarking Tour’ Organized by KOICA
This benchmarking tour was the second such visit by Peruvian high officials following a visit last year. These officials will spend two weeks studying the economic and social development of Korea as well as its central and local administration policies and tems. Their studies will consist of lectures and briefings as well as visits to industrial sites including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

▶ Ms. Mariella / Peruvian High Official
“We want to learn know-how. We have an impression that everything starts from good decisions and leadership.”
Since 2009, Gyeonggi Province has hosted more than 300 officials from seventeen countries to help in their benchmarking activities.

▶ [PIP] Park Ik-soo / Director, Gyeonggi Human Resources Development Center
“(The purpose of the program) is to help developing countries in their economic and social development and to promote cooperation and exchanges between Korea and these countries. We also take these opportunities to promote our culture.”
Gyeonggi Province will expand the contents of the program to better assist foreign officials in learning the economic and social development know-how of Korea and Gyeonggi Province.

Article 7. Starbucks to Supply Used Coffee Grounds to Gyeonggi Farmers (0326-2)

[Anchor’s Headline]
Starbuck Coffee Korea agreed with Gyeonggi Province to supply recycled coffee grounds to farmers in the province for use as fertilizer. Used coffee grounds are known to be an excellent organic fertilizer and pest repellent for some plants.

[Report]
For all cafes, used coffee grounds are a common cause of annoyance when it comes to their disposal. Some cafes even encourage customers to take them home for other uses.

▶ Song Hye-gyeong / Starbuck Social Contribution Team Manager
“We have a huge amount of used coffee grounds produced every day, but little of it is recycled. We are now able to help farmers by supplying used coffee grounds through an agreement with Gyeonggi Province.”

▶ Starbucks, Farmers and Gyeonggi Province
‘Agricultural Win-Win Model MOU’
According to the agreement between Starbucks, farmers and Gyeonggi Province, Starbucks will produce and supply 20 tons of organic fertilizer, a mixture of used coffee grounds and organic wastes, to 200 farmers in Gyeonggi Province.

▶ [PiP] Jeon Dae-gyeong / President, Mideum Farm Corporation, Gyeonggi Province
“Farmers are burdened by continuously rising costs. The use of coffee ground fertilizer will helps us increase our income by reducing costs.”
Coffee ground fertilizer is rich in minerals necessary for the growth of plants, and its caffeine content acts as pest repellent. It also produces fewer odors. The annual fertilizer production costs of KRW 100 million will be funded by the Win-Win Account to which a certain amount will be reserved from the sales of five farm products produced using the fertilizer.

▶ Park Jong-min / Director, Gyeonggi Province Eco-friendly Agricultural Division
“Selling produce is a challenge for farmers when consumers prefer safer (organic) food. Gyeonggi Province acted as an intermediary in this.”
Gyeonggi Province’s intermediary role not only helps farmers reduce farming costs and find markets easily for their organic products but also helps Starbucks dispose of waste coffee grounds.

Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV.
We look forward to seeing you again next week.