‘FEZ Innovation Ecosystem Creation Program’ is a follow-up initiative to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE)’s “Free Economic Zone 2.0: 2030 Vision and Strategies”. It is aimed to cultivate FEZs as global bases of new industries by creating ecosystems of innovation actors in the FEZs, based on which to provide businesses in the FEZs with tailored support to help them grow. MOTIE held a contest to select the executing organizations, and as the result, 13 organizations will undertake 14 projects over Korea FEZs.
 * The total expenses of the program is KRW 4.25bn, and will be funded by the central government (KRW 2.975bn), local governments (KRW 375m), and the private sector (KRW 900m)

DGFEZ took 4 govt. projects out of 14, which is the largest number among 9 FEZs. The selected 4 programs will be undertaken by 4 organizations-Gyeongbuk Technopark, Pohang Technopark, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation(DGMIF), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)- and be funded KRW 800m by the central government.
 
As stated above, DGFEZ will work on 4 programs cooperating with 4 organizations in the region: Gyeongbuk TP, Pohang TP, DGMIF, DGIST. The programs are mainly about establishing an industry, academic, and researching network and supporting the strengthening of corporate capabilities based on its needs. The total expenses of the 4 programs in the year 2021 are KRW 1.15bn, and will be funded by the central government (KRW 805m), local governments (KRW 75m), and the private sector (KRW 270m).
 
The Innovation Ecosystem Creation Program will be processed in dual-track.
A-[Creating the bases of innovation clusters]
Gyeongbuk TP, the handling organization, will establish the cooperation network in FEZ by forming the innovation council of business‧academy‧research institues‧government, holding exchange meetings between industries, and mentoring.
 
B-[Enhancing corporate business capabilities]
DGIST, DGMIF, Pohang TP are in charge of 3 projects, promoting business collaboration programs related to offering special exemptions from regulations, commercialization, marketing, etc. based on the companies’ needs
Pohang TP, especially, gave a presentation at the FEZ Innovative Growth Supporting Organization meeting on Mar. 17, as the best practice, appreciated for its project planning.