Coexistence of Northeast Asian Cities and Companies ... 'Northeast Asia CEO Economic Cooperation Forum' Held in Pohang

Major Cities in Korea, China, Japan, and Russia Seek Win-Win Cooperation for Corporate Innovation

Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, "We Must Consider the Roles and Challenges of Northeast Asian Local Cities"

Lee Dong-chae, Chairman of EcoPro,

2021 Northeast Asia CEO Economic Cooperation Forum.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The Northeast Asia CEO Economic Cooperation Forum, which seeks ways for mutual cooperation among cities and companies in Northeast Asia, was held on the 10th in Pohang, Gyeongbuk.

Pohang City announced on the 11th that it held the '2021 Northeast Asia CEO Economic Cooperation Forum' at the POSCO International Hall under the theme 'The Role and Policy of Local Governments for Corporate Innovation after COVID-19.'

The forum proceeded in the order of the opening address by Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang, a special lecture by Lee Dong-chae, Chairman of EcoPro, the 1st session, the 2nd session, and simultaneous sessions (A, B).

Various figures from different sectors, including Jeong Hae-jong, Chairman of Pohang City Council, and Kim Hee-soo, Vice Chairman of Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, participated.

Lee Dong-chae, Chairman of EcoPro, who gave the special lecture, suggested the current status and future direction of Pohang, which is transforming from a logistics hub and steel city into a city of new growth industries such as batteries, bio, and hydrogen, under the theme 'Pohang Moving Toward a City of New Growth Industries.'

The 1st session was chaired by Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang.

The session continued with presentations and Q&A by CEOs of local governments on 'The Role and Challenges of Northeast Asia Hub Cities for Corporate Innovation.'

The 1st Vice Mayor of Vladivostok, Russia, presented on 'Vladivostok City SME Development' and tax reduction policies implemented as 'Crisis Response Measures against COVID-19' to foster small and medium enterprises.

The Director of Industrial Tourism Exchange of Joetsu, Japan, explained support activities for local SMEs such as the product certification system (Made in Joetsu) and international exhibitions.

The Vice Mayor of Hunchun, China, explained the creation of an internationalized business environment and introduced various corporate support policies, including strengthening policy support through tax reductions and fee cuts.

As the final presenter, Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang diagnosed the current economic and industrial structure of Pohang in preparation for the rapidly changing environment after COVID-19.

He presented Pohang City's role and future direction for corporate innovation, including the advancement of the steel industry and fostering future new industries.

At the end of the 1st session, to enhance the practical mutual benefits of economic cooperation among Northeast Asia hub cities, an exchange cooperation agreement was signed among the Vladivostok Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Russia, the Hunchun Federation of Industry and Commerce in China, and the Pohang Chamber of Commerce and Industry in South Korea, based on Mayor Lee Kang-deok's proposal.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang evaluated, "It was a fruitful time to collectively consider the role and challenges of local governments for corporate innovation and development in the new Northeast Asia era."

The mayor said, "I hope that active exchanges and practical mutual cooperation among Northeast Asia hub cities will continue sustainably, encompassing both online and offline."

After Mayor Lee Gang-deok of Pohang gave the opening address, he is presiding over the first session.

In the 2nd session, under the theme 'Innovation and Change of Northeast Asian Companies in the ESG Era,' presentations by experts from Korea, China, Japan, and Russia and in-depth panel discussions followed.

Professor Wu Jin-hun of Beijing Foreign Studies University in China gave a presentation titled 'China's Digital Economy Innovation and Implications.'

Professor Yoshino Fumio of Takushoku University in Japan analyzed 'Japanese Companies in the ESG Era.'

Following this, Alexander Ratkin, Dean of Vladivostok Economic Service University in Russia, presented on 'Current Status and Prospects of Northeast Asia Cooperation,' and Korean expert Oh Dong-yoon, President of the Small and Medium Business Research Institute, explained 'Innovation and Challenges of Korean Manufacturing SMEs.'

After the expert presentations, Professor Baek Kwon-ho of Seoul National University of Science and Technology served as the moderator for the panel discussion.

The discussion included Professor Nam Soo-jung of Kongju National University, Professor Kang Cheol-gu of Paichai University, Professor Choi Ui-hyun of Yeungnam University, and Professor Jeon Myung-soo of Vladivostok Economic Service University.

Also, in the newly organized simultaneous session part this year, the 'Northeast Asia Technopark Joint Cooperation Project' and 'Pohang Startup Global Exchange' were conducted.

An MOU was signed to promote a joint cooperation project related to cosmetics between Korea and Russia, and a platform was created for young entrepreneurs in Northeast Asia to present startup items and exchange knowledge, enriching the forum with diverse sessions.

In connection with this forum, the International Trade Consultation hosted by the Gyeongbuk Economic Promotion Agency was also successfully conducted.

A total of about 70 video business consultations were held between 46 buyers from six countries?Russia, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia?and 37 SMEs within Gyeongbuk Province.

An on-site MOU was signed between Jeil Grinding Industry and an Indonesian overseas buyer (CV.SEJAHTERA MAKMUR ABADI), discussing ways to export products and advance corporate local entry.

All sessions were operated in a hybrid format, combining on-site proceedings and online video conferencing, and the forum was broadcast live in real-time through YouTube channels in Korea, Japan, and Russia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.