Gumi serves as a hub of local development and transportation. Korea's main transportation arteries between Seoul and Busan, the Gyeongbu Railroad line and Gyeongbu Expressway, cross the city, allowing the smooth flowing of goods and people. Also, the Nakdong River flows north to south through Gumi and has enhanced growth by supplying sufficient water for both agriculture and industry.

Originally, agriculture was the main industry of this region. As a result of the export drive policy in the early 1970s, Gumi has become the center of high-tech industry, leading national exports since the establishment of the Gumi National Industrial Complex.

Historical culture in the Nakdong River area is reflected from the many relics and old tombs from the Gaya period, which demonstrate strong evidence that the region once was home to a lively, ancient culture. As the place where Buddhism first came to the peninsula during the Silla dynasty, Gumi was the site on which the first Buddhist Temple of Dorisa was originally constructed. It has been the blossoming grounds for philosophy and given birth to many scholars, such as Ya Eun, Gil Jae, Kang Ho, Kim Suk-ja, Jeom Pil-jae, and Kim Jong-jik, as well as patriots like Ha Wee-ji, Lee Meng-jeon, and Huh Wee.

Former President Park Chunghee used Gumi to initiate the Export Drive Policy and the Saemaeul (New Village) Movement to pave the way for the astonishing growth of the Korean Economy. Gumi has been a birthplace of spiritual culture with a strong tradition and long history.

As of December, 2005, its economical foundation contains a total of 25,633 companies with 169,220 workers. More than 430 companies are located in Gumi National Industrial Complexes 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Complex 4 is still under construction). The rest operate in the Sandong, Goa, and Haepyeong rural industry complexes. Major products1 are mainly high-tech electronics and LCD's, CRT's, and telecommunication equipment. In 2006 alone, exports reached US$30.381 Billion and imports US$12.025 Billion. This is 4.79% of total national exports and 114% of the national trade surplus, a distinguished record. Currently, since the 4th complex consists of the Gumi Digital Electronic Information Technology Complex, Small- and Medium-sized Business Rental Complex, and Foreign Invested Company Exclusive Complex, the Gumi National Industrial Complex will become the up-to-date industrial complex leading the Yeongnam Techno-valley in the future.

Henceforth, the Gumi plans to enter an age of transportation with the Gyeongbu railways and expressways, overall construction work, and by opening up all traffic in the area's road systems. Also, Gumi is concentrating its efforts on building the infrastructure for the first Korean Silicon Valley, Gumi Techno polis, in which domestic venture companies, as well as foreign companies, can work without any obstacles.

Gumi produces a number of agricultural products, mainly Seonsan Rice, watermelons, fungi, grapes, and melons. We aim to achieve a level of advanced agriculture by building the Flower Export Complex (about 363,000 square meters) for raising agriculture for export and for tourists. We also plan to establish an agriculture development center for assisting in the development of agricultural high technology to provide Gumi with the facilities to make it a global leader in agriculture.

Gumi is becoming a city of culture and a self-governing community. It also makes efforts to be a better place to live. The beauty of Geumo-san Provincial Park, surrounding Cheonsaeng-san and Taejo-san, and the Nakdong River flowing through its center create a natural environment in which to live. The Gumi Cultural Festival is held every October. Overseas Koreans, people who were born and raised in Gumi, persons who live in other regions and the citizens of the city come together for an exciting festival.

Gumi has developed and changed on the basis of a self-governing system, has become a strong and secure symbol for Korea, and has a significant role in North Gyeongsang Province. Gumi was awarded a Grand Prize for a Korean Self-governing Community supported by the Korean Efficiency Society in 1997, a Gold Prize for a World Self-governing Community supported by the Adenauer Foundation of Germany in 1998, and the 7th World Female Specialist Club BPW Gold Award in 2000. In 2001, Gumi was awarded the national Presidential Award in the area of developing small and medium sized businesses, and received the honor of being chosen as the best place to live in the nation by the Korean Efficiency Society.

In 2003, Gumi was awarded the grand prize as a "Company favorable city" and "Continuing city award," and in 2004 was awarded the grand award on National Productivity in the national productivity innovation contest and selected as a "superior organization improving productivity." In 2005, including the presidential award on local administration innovation evaluation, Gumi received awards in various fields and achieved the evaluation of the most advancing local autonomy.