Gyeonggi-do Strengthens Cooperation with Michigan, USA in Mobility, Renewable Energy, and 4th Industrial Revolution

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, USA, to discuss cooperation plans between Gyeonggi Province and Michigan on advanced mobility, renewable energy, the 4th Industrial Revolution Center, youth exchanges, and other topics.

On the 7th, Governor Kim met with Governor Gretchen Whitmer at Dodamso and proposed, "I hope to establish a cooperative relationship on advanced mobility, renewable energy, and youth exchanges. Gyeonggi Province is the center of South Korea's economy and industry. I hope that this meeting will strengthen the cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Michigan."

In response, Governor Whitmer said, "The friendship between Michigan and Gyeonggi Province continues and grows stronger through economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. We are proud of the efforts both regions have made based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2011, and through the newly formed director-level working group, we will continue to cooperate in many fields, including future mobility and climate action. Let us continue to work together for a brighter future for both Gyeonggi Province and Michigan."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon warmly shakes hands with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at Dodamso in Suwon on the 7th.

Earlier, in April last year, Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan and proposed an innovation alliance focusing on eco-friendly mobility, batteries, and renewable energy, while inviting her to visit Gyeonggi Province. This recent meeting was arranged when Governor Whitmer, visiting Korea to attract investment in the battery industry, requested a meeting, and Governor Kim responded by inviting her to Dodamso.

In January this year, Gyeonggi Province signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to establish a 4th Industrial Revolution Center (tentatively named the ‘Korea Innovation Center for Humans and the Earth’). The province plans to focus on responding to the climate crisis, smart manufacturing, startups, and artificial intelligence (AI) technological innovation.

In Michigan, the World Economic Forum’s US Advanced Manufacturing Center (USC4AM), focusing on smart factories as a key area, was established and has been operating since June 2022. Considering this, when the MOU for establishing the 4th Industrial Revolution Center was signed jointly with the World Economic Forum in January, the Forum Secretariat proposed cooperation between Gyeonggi Province’s 4th Industrial Revolution Center and Michigan’s US Advanced Manufacturing Center.

Gyeonggi Province signed a friendship and cooperation MOU with Michigan in 2011, and with the active promotion of the innovation alliance by Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, more dynamic exchanges and cooperation between the two regions are expected.

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