Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Discusses Expansion Plans for Defense Export, Industry, and Energy Cooperation with Ambassadors of Indonesia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 27th that it held individual meetings with the ambassadors of Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, who arrived for the two-day meeting of key defense cooperation heads of missions on the 25th and 26th, to discuss ways to expand cooperation in the industrial and energy sectors linked to defense.

During the meeting with the Indonesian ambassador on the 25th, the ministry received an explanation on the host country's trends following the inauguration of Indonesia's new government and shared the progress of the KF-21 fighter jet joint development project, which began in 2016. They also discussed ways to strengthen supply chain cooperation for critical minerals.

In the meeting with the UAE ambassador held on the same day, based on the trust built through the successful operation of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, Korea's first exported nuclear power plant, both countries aimed to advance their "special strategic partnership" and exchanged views on defense cooperation projects such as warships and guided missiles, which began through economic diplomacy between the two heads of state in January last year.

On the 26th, a meeting was held with the Saudi ambassador to discuss expanding defense exports by utilizing favorable conditions such as the elimination of tariffs on weapons through the free trade agreement (FTA) signed last December between Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as well as exploring cooperation plans in energy and industry sectors including hydrogen.

Minister An Deok-geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "The defense industry is a key sector that can simultaneously strengthen the economy and security," and urged, "Ambassadors stationed in host countries at the forefront of exports should share local information with the government in a timely manner and actively cooperate with the ministry to resolve difficulties faced by companies entering local markets."

Meanwhile, the ministry plans to hold individual defense-related meetings with the ambassadors of Poland and Qatar on the 27th.

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