Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Begins Recruitment for “2026 Busan Metropolitan City Prestigious Local Companies”: Discovering Leading Firms Driving the Regional Economy

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency (President Song Bok-cheol) announced that they will conduct an open recruitment for “2026 Busan Metropolitan City Prestigious Local Companies” to identify and encourage representative firms that have contributed to regional economic development through long-term business activities, including job creation, talent development, and social contribution.

The local company certification system, first introduced in 2006, has selected and managed a total of 68 companies to date. Through the recent ordinance revision, its name has been changed to “Busan Metropolitan City Prestigious Local Companies” to enhance its status and brand value as representative companies of the region.

Eligible applicants are companies headquartered in Busan that have been in operation for at least 20 years, employ 100 or more full-time workers, and have achieved an average annual revenue of at least KRW 20 billion over the past three years, while contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy.

The revised ordinance this year lowers the business history requirement from 30 years to 20 years and plans to strengthen recognition and support befitting “prestigious” companies through comprehensive evaluation of their contributions to the regional economy and society.

The recruitment period runs from today (April 9) until midnight on April 28, and application documents must be submitted via email to the Business Support Unit of the Busan Economic Promotion Agency (lead@bepa.kr).

Following submission, evaluations will be conducted based on business history, economic contribution, and social contribution, and final selections will be made in June after deliberation by a committee of experts.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to award certification plaques and certificates to selected companies through a certification ceremony and provide follow-up support such as promotion, market expansion, and network building.

In addition, various benefits will be provided, including increased financial support limits such as SME interest subsidies, preferential selection for overseas market development groups (trade delegations and international exhibitions), corporate promotion support, a three-year deferment of tax officials’ inspection and inquiry rights under the Framework Act on Local Taxes, and preferential access to cultural and welfare facilities for employees.

Furthermore, the city plans to continue policy support so that the certification system becomes not merely an honorary title but a practical opportunity for growth, strengthening the competitiveness of local companies and reinforcing a virtuous-cycle economic ecosystem where companies and the city grow together.

The credibility secured by certification is expected to serve as a key pillar of a virtuous cycle leading to sustainable growth. In particular, the achievements of companies that have grown alongside the region over a long period are expected to generate positive ripple effects across the regional industry and lay the foundation for joint growth between companies and the city.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “Prestigious local companies are the foundation of Busan’s economy and a valuable future asset that embodies the pride of our citizens,” adding, “With this ordinance revision lowering entry barriers while enhancing recognition and support, we expect many outstanding companies to participate and use this as an opportunity to leap forward as globally recognized prestigious companies.”