Changwon Hydrogen Industry Gains Wings for Overseas Expansion in UAE

Signed Memorandum of Understanding for Mutual Cooperation on Hydrogen Mobility Promotion with Abu Dhabi

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] The hydrogen industry, a key industry of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, finally opened the curtain for entry into the Middle Eastern market in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (hereinafter UAE) in the new year of 2023.

During President Yoon Seok-yeol's state visit to the UAE, on the 16th local time at 5:30 p.m., at the ‘Korea-UAE Business Forum’ held at the Rixos Marina Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with relevant ministers from both countries in attendance, Mayor Hong Nam-pyo and H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi, Minister of Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding for joint cooperation in hydrogen mobility,’ establishing a bridgehead centered on Changwon Special City for the supply of hydrogen buses and the construction of charging infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, involving hydrogen-specialized institutions and companies.

Signing of a Four-Party Memorandum of Understanding (Changwon City, Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, Kwangshin Machinery Industry). From the left: Kwon Hwan-ju of Kwangshin Machinery Industry, Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon, Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Falah Al Ahbabi, Minister of Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, Na Seung-sik, President of Korea Automotive Technology Institute.
[Photo by Changwon Special City Hall]

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, aims to supply 1,150 green buses and build charging infrastructure by 2030 as part of its Decarbonisation Program. To promote the supply of green buses centered on hydrogen buses, last year, ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) and ITC (Integrated Transport Centre of Abu Dhabi) officials visited Changwon to verify Changwon's capabilities in hydrogen buses and charging infrastructure, subsequently requesting Changwon Special City’s cooperation in the supply, construction, and operation of hydrogen buses and charging infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.

Accordingly, cooperation and exchange plans between Changwon and Abu Dhabi have been explored. Due to the characteristics linked to the government’s export industrialization of promising overseas sectors such as hydrogen mobility and hydrogen charging stations, the government evaluated this as a meaningful cooperation plan in the energy sector between Korea and the UAE. As a result, Changwon Special City was the only local government included in the economic delegation for the UAE tour. During the ‘Korea-UAE Business Forum’ held during President Yoon Seok-yeol’s state visit to the UAE, the ‘Memorandum of Understanding for joint cooperation in hydrogen mobility’ was signed with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport in the presence of relevant ministers and company representatives from both countries.

Before attending the ‘Korea-UAE Business Forum,’ Mayor Hong Nam-pyo visited the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport with Na Seung-sik, President of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, Oh Jae-hak, President of the Korea Transport Institute, and Kwon Hwan-joo, CEO of Kwangshin Machinery Industry, to meet Minister Falah Al Ahbabi. Subsequently, he attended the hydrogen mobility cooperation roundtable forum hosted by Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre, where he introduced Changwon Special City’s experience, know-how, and capable institutions and companies in the hydrogen sector.

On the 16th, the heads of related organizations discussed face-to-face and cooperation matters for mutual collaboration on hydrogen mobility between Changwon and Abu Dhabi.
[Photo by Changwon Special City Hall]

In response, Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of ITC, stated that Abu Dhabi’s officials would learn various know-how from Changwon as soon as possible, and in the long term, they wish to continue sustained cooperation with Changwon to develop a standard model for hydrogen buses and charging stations in the Middle East region.

Through this memorandum of understanding, Changwon Special City and Abu Dhabi, UAE, agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as hydrogen charging infrastructure construction, hydrogen bus operation, promotion of mutual visits, and expert exchanges. This has become an opportunity for hydrogen companies based in Changwon to have their technological level and manufacturing capabilities internationally recognized, and it is expected to greatly contribute to these companies’ overseas expansion in the future.

Meanwhile, Mayor Hong Nam-pyo, who attended the Korea-UAE Business Forum, also promoted Changwon’s plans to attract Changwon National Industrial Complex 2.0, including the establishment of cutting-edge large-scale joint research facilities and the cultivation of high-level talent to support key industries such as defense, nuclear power, and hydrogen industries. This promotion was conducted targeting major institution and company representatives attending the UAE economic delegation, including Koo Ja-yeol, Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, Jung Ki-sun, President of HD Hyundai, and Yokota Takeshi, CEO of Hyosung Heavy Industries.

Mayor Hong said, “Receiving a cooperation request from a Middle Eastern country known for its strictness and being the only domestic local government to attend and sign a memorandum of understanding for mutual cooperation in the presence of ministers from both countries is a great achievement recognizing Changwon Special City’s hydrogen mobility operation capabilities and hydrogen industry competence internationally. We will actively support the overseas expansion of local hydrogen companies based on this opportunity.”

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