Deputy Minister Cho Yong-beom of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance visited the smart aquaculture cluster and smart factories in Busan to assess the status of financial support projects. He emphasized that the evaluation will focus on whether financial investments have led to tangible outcomes, such as enhanced corporate competitiveness.
On this day, Deputy Minister Cho visited Eco Aqua Farm, an operator within the smart aquaculture cluster in Gijang County, and Hankil Electronics, a manufacturer of automotive electronic components in Geumjeong District. He reviewed the progress of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' smart aquaculture cluster project and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' manufacturing innovation support project, while also listening to on-site challenges.
The Busan smart aquaculture cluster is the first of its kind in South Korea. It has received a total investment of 40 billion won, including 22 billion won from the national government, and is set to complete its facilities in 2024. Following enhancements and trials of Atlantic salmon farming equipment, it has successfully farmed salmon for the first time in the country. The first shipment of 10 tons of salmon is scheduled for December.
The smart aquaculture cluster project aims to demonstrate advanced aquaculture technologies utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) and data, while supporting the integration of related industries such as production, processing, and distribution. Currently, cluster projects are being pursued in six regions across the country.
Deputy Minister Cho praised the Busan cluster as a model of collaboration between the central government, local governments, and the private sector in establishing advanced aquaculture facilities. He urged that the demonstrative results should lead to stable seafood production and the development of aquaculture technologies for various species. He also stressed the need to share Busan's experiences with other regions to spread the benefits of financial investments.
During his visit to Hankil Electronics, he checked the status of smart factory construction and manufacturing process automation. The government is supporting the establishment and advancement of smart factories, as well as the introduction of manufacturing robots and automation equipment, to enhance productivity and facilitate digital transformation for small and medium-sized enterprises.
This year's budget for the manufacturing innovation support project totals 372.3 billion won, including an additional budget of 55 billion won. As of the end of September, the budget execution has been completed. Since last year, the government has been promoting the 'AI-based Smart Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 Strategy,' supporting the spread of autonomous manufacturing utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
During this site inspection, the focus was on whether the equipment and systems introduced with government support are being utilized in actual production processes, leading to improvements in productivity and cost reductions. Discussions were held with company representatives regarding challenges in technology adoption and operation, as well as policy improvement measures.
Deputy Minister Cho stated, "The success of financial support should be evaluated not just by the scale of funding but by how much it has enhanced the competitiveness of businesses and industries on the ground." He added, "Projects that have demonstrated results should be actively expanded to other companies and regions, while those with insufficient outcomes should be improved based on feedback from the field to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of financial investments."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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