JBNU's Buan RIS Project Group (Director Lee Yang-su) has had its 'Buan Local Resource Regional Innovation Marketing Enhancement Project' selected as the top project among the 12 nationwide projects supported by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy under the Phase 2 Regional Industry Promotion Project (RIS).

Accordingly, the Buan RIS Project Group will receive approximately KRW 2.8 billion in total, including KRW 2.1 billion in national funding, over the next three years to improve production, processing, and packaging systems for Buan-area mulberry and silkworm products.

Through this, the Buan RIS Project Group plans to strengthen product market competitiveness and pursue the project with a focus on integrated marketing that reflects customer consumption patterns, targeting a smart market to reform existing marketing and distribution structures.

In particular, in Phase 2 the project will actively carry out the cultivation of star companies to increase sales of local firms identified through company analysis, industry convergence, development of high value-added products, knowledge-based marketing, and global business marketing.

The Buan RIS Project Group was selected in 2009 as the lead institution for the Ministry of Knowledge Economy's Phase 1 RIS project and, with a total project budget of approximately KRW 2.9 billion over three years, achieved remarkable results: an increase in sales of KRW 18 billion compared with 2009 among local mulberry- and silkworm-related companies, exports of KRW 1 billion, creation of 64 jobs, and the start-up of three companies.

Through these achievements it was also selected as an outstanding project group by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy last December. It has undertaken activities including strengthening networks with local stakeholders, Champpong Maestro training in Buan, development of eco-friendly and culture-convergence products, pioneering knowledge-based distribution channels using social networks (SNS), and QR code production and design development for Buan mulberry and silkworm products.

Lee Yang-su, Director (Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), said, 'Through the Phase 2 project we will actively support Buan becoming a global mecca for the mulberry and silkworm industry,' adding, 'we will use this opportunity to fulfill JBNU's responsibilities as a regional hub university through close engagement with the region and strive to grow together with the local community.'