Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun: "More Than Double Suwon Pay Budget to Bring Warmth to Frozen Alley Shops"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "I will more than double the Suwon Pay budget compared to the previous year to bring warmth to the frozen alley business districts."

On the 18th, Mayor Lee held a 'Special Economic Measures Briefing' in the City Hall Conference Room and announced, "I will allocate a budget of 41.1 billion won to Suwon Pay next year," adding that "the sales effect from the Suwon Pay expansion is analyzed to exceed 520 billion won, and increased new consumption will bring warmth to the local economy."

The city will invest 41.1 billion won in the budget, expanding the Suwon Pay incentives from the current 6-7% level to 10% starting next year, and raising the charging limit from 300,000 won to 500,000 won. For January and October, which include the lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, incentives will be expanded to 20%.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "I will allocate 545 billion won in job creation budget, an increase of 5 billion won from this year, and execute it early," adding "I will also reduce the interest burden on small and medium enterprises through 100 billion won in Saebbit Loan support."

The city will increase the loan interest support rate from 2% to 2.5% next year in connection with the Saebbit Loan (SME Companion Support Project). The Saebbit Loan provides up to 500 million won per company at low interest rates, and supports 2% loan interest and guarantee fees up to 1.2% annually. Starting next year, 2.5% of loan interest will be supported. For example, if a small and medium enterprise borrows 500 million won through the Saebbit Loan, they can receive 12.5 million won in annual interest cost support.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "In cooperation with Gyeonggi Province, we will ensure that vulnerable groups such as national basic living security recipients receive 100,000 won per household for heating costs, and we will expand the target for Suwon Saebbit Care meal delivery service by more than double," adding "We will operate a vulnerable group support team to intensively identify crisis households and swiftly connect citizens in need with welfare resources."

He continued, "Year-end and New Year gatherings are the force that revitalizes the local economy," urging citizens to "visit nearby alley shops and restaurants more frequently."

Civil servants will also contribute to revitalizing the local economy. City Hall and district office cafeterias will close one day a week and operate 'lunch time dining-out days' to encourage employees to dine at restaurants. Additionally, the Suwon Pay allocation in customized welfare points provided to civil servants next year will be expanded from the existing 100,000 won to 200,000 won.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "We will operate an emergency people's livelihood economic stabilization measures task force to immediately reflect expert opinions by sector and respond swiftly and accurately," emphasizing "We will mobilize all administrative resources to implement policies that directly help citizens and navigate this emergency economic situation."