City partners with World Food Tech Council
Paju signed an MOU with the World Food Tech Council on Monday to advance the food technology industry within the city's planned Peace Economy Special Zone.
The agreement aims to lay the groundwork for high-tech food industry growth tied to the development of the Paju Peace Economy Special Zone, and to attract related companies while expanding the industry ecosystem.
Paju Mayor Son Bae-chan, World Food Tech Council Co-Chairman Lee Gi-won and Vice Chairwoman Jeong Seong-mi attended the signing ceremony, along with other key officials.
The two organizations agreed to designate the food technology industry as a core future growth driver for the Peace Economy Special Zone, and to collaborate on attracting businesses, expanding industrial infrastructure and building cooperative networks.
The city said it expects the special zone to establish itself as a hub where industry and innovation converge, and that the designation's effectiveness will be further strengthened going forward.
"This agreement is a meaningful starting point that adds the new possibility of a high-tech food technology industry to the future vision of the Paju Peace Economy Special Zone," Mayor Son said. "We will work to attract businesses and build an industrial foundation through this partnership, creating an environment where the city and companies can grow together."
Gyeonggi Province submitted an application to the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport last month to designate the "Gyeonggi Province Peace Economy Special Zone (Paju District)," and consultations among the relevant ministries are currently under way. On Sept. 22, Paju issued a joint petition alongside local lawmakers and provincial and city council members calling for the zone's designation and urging national support, as part of a broader push to secure the designation through external cooperation and investment attraction.
The Paju Peace Economy Special Zone is set to receive its final designation under the government's "2026–2027 Peace Economy Special Zone Designation Plan," following consultations among ministries, an evaluation panel review and a committee deliberation.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
