The government has begun procedures to select a third specialised zone for materials, parts and equipment. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Monday it held a briefing on its selection plan in Cheongju Oesco in Chungcheongbuk-do. About 200 people attended, including officials from local governments, anchor companies and research institutes. Anchor companies are firms expected to play a key role in strengthening competitiveness and building the zone's ecosystem.

The government will begin official notices and applications in March. It will confirm the final site around June through the Committee for Strengthening the Competitiveness of Materials, Parts and Equipment. The selection will proceed in connection with the new government's core strategy of a five-pole, three-special system. The government plans to focus its review on synergies between regional strategic industries and the specialised zone. The aim is to foster regional industrial hubs and build ecosystems among companies.

The role of anchor companies was detailed under the item on the effects of industrial clustering and competitiveness strengthening, which carries the highest score in the evaluation. The government plans to assess plans to build shared-growth models with supplier companies, beyond simply moving in. It also plans to examine in parallel the specificity of measures to support self-reliance in core technologies and plans to expand the ecosystem.

A preliminary review system was introduced for the first time. Under the system, local governments first submit a concept plan, and review members provide consulting on policy consistency. The measure is intended to prevent waste of administrative capacity by local governments and improve the completeness of business plans. Local governments will be able to reduce trial and error and draw up effective applications.

The ministry will begin official notices and applications in March. It plans to confirm the final site around June after document and on-site reviews and expert deliberations. "Through the designation of this third-phase specialised zone, we will make every effort to raise self-reliance in core materials, parts and equipment technologies and build an industrial ecosystem that can become a hub of the regional economy," said Naseonghwa, director general for industrial supply chain policy at the ministry.