Korea Industrial Complex Corp. launches 'Regional Investment Running Mate' to guide firms through entire investment process

Korea Industrial Complex Corp. announced Monday it will begin full operations of its "Regional Investment Running Mate," a program designed to provide close, end-to-end support for companies pursuing regional investment. The initiative restructures the previous "Regional Investment Field Support Team," extending coverage from the initial investment review stage through subsidy applications, project execution and post-management.

The "Regional Investment Running Mate" is a field-centered support system that integrates investment consulting, problem-solving and project execution assistance for companies pursuing regional investment. Korea Industrial Complex Corp., known by its Korean acronym Sandangong, plans to strengthen customized support for individual companies by connecting them with its nationwide regional offices, local governments, legal, financial and accounting experts, and business support agencies.

The restructuring was carried out in tandem with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's expansion of its regional investment support policy. In February, the ministry revised its regional investment promotion subsidy criteria, raising support limits for underdeveloped regions and areas facing industrial crises. It also introduced new incentives for smart equipment investment to accelerate the spread of regional manufacturing hubs. Additional system improvements were made to ease the burden on companies, including an expanded scope of eligible equipment investment, recognition of workplace environment improvement facility costs, relaxed restrictions on reapplying for subsidies, and extended investment periods.

To ensure the improved regime translates into actual investment on the ground, Sandangong will operate the support system around three functional units: the "Investment Attraction Mate," the "Problem-Solving Mate" and the "Project Execution Mate."

The Investment Attraction Mate will identify potential investors by taking into account the industrial characteristics of each region, and will provide one-on-one consulting and business plan preparation support for individual companies. Customized investment consulting and promotional activities will also be strengthened for companies investing in opportunity development special zones, 100 high-potential companies and anchor firms in specialized complexes.

The Problem-Solving Mate will hold briefings and education sessions on support programs such as the regional investment promotion subsidy. It will connect companies facing legal, financial or accounting difficulties during the regional investment process with outside experts and relevant agencies. The unit also plans to identify demands for system improvements raised in the field in order to reduce factors that hinder private investment.

The Project Execution Mate will monitor the progress of subsidy recipients after funding is disbursed and provide support through to the project's close, including settlement and verification. Sandangong plans to build a database of beneficiary companies to identify reinvestment demand, with the goal of creating a structure in which regional investment leads to sustained local investment rather than one-time support.

Through this restructuring, Sandangong aims to strengthen step-by-step support from company identification through investment execution and post-management. The organization particularly plans to leverage its regional headquarters and networks of local government and expert partners so that companies considering regional investment can access the information they need from the earliest stages.

"The 'Regional Investment Running Mate' is a field-centered support system that uses the corporation's nationwide regional network to provide close support throughout the entire regional investment process, ensuring that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's regional investment support policy translates into tangible investment outcomes on the ground," said Lee Sang-hun, chairman of Korea Industrial Complex Corp. "We will work alongside companies from the investment review stage through project execution and post-management, and will continue to provide all-around support in cooperation with local governments and relevant agencies to help revitalize regional investment and contribute to balanced national development."