POSCO, the nation’s top steelmaker, said Wednesday it would open a center for creative economy and innovation in Pohang, a major port city in North Gyeongsang Province, early next year.

The steelmaker has sought to build a hub to help incubate start-ups at the home of its steel mill since President Park Geun-hye announced a three-year roadmap for economic growth last February.

The administration said it would construct 17 nationwide centers for bolstering the creative economy and innovation by 2015 as a part of its plans for shifting the nation’s economic growth paradigm. 

Among the detailed plans suggested by the government to accomplish this initiative were creative industry development, investments in the future and making inroads into overseas markets. The Center for Creative Industry and Innovation was proposed as a key action plan for promoting the development of the creative economy.

The center, run by POSCO, will be located on a 1,984-square-meter piece of land on the campus of Pohang University of Science & Technology, better known as POSTECH.

“About 10 start-ups, based in the steel city, will move into the center and they will be able to collaborate,’’ a POSCO official said.

“The center will offer office space and one-stop service for business incubation to help advance business ideas ... ranging from an advisory service for business proposal development to fund-raising.”

The steelmaker has spearheaded the move to incubate start-ups in creative industries, running a variety of support programs, including the Idea Marketplace, a mentoring service for start-ups.

By Seo Jee-yeon (jyseo@heraldcorp.com)