Seoul City will provide free offices, professional counseling and other services to foreigners who start up a business in the city, officials said.

The Seoul Global Center in Jongno is recruiting six foreign businesses and the global business centers in Gangnam and Yeoiudo are seeking three and five startups, respectively, to offer various support.

The new businesses are allowed to stay for six months in the centers’ buildings for free starting in January next year and those with outstanding performances can extend the stay for another six months.

Professional counseling, startup education and opportunities for seminar participation will also be offered.

A total of 43 foreign startups have used the free offices since 2010, and 20 of them have succeeded in their ventures.

Legal foreign residents who are preparing for a new business or started them less than a year ago are eligible.

The application deadline is Dec. 6.

The final decision will be made after applications are reviewed and the center conducts interviews.

More information is available on Seoul Global Center’s website.

(rene@heraldcorp.com)