Korea-Poland, Ukraine Reconstruction and Global Cooperation Strengthening... "Partners Connecting Asia and Europe"

Taking advantage of the visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to Poland for the first time in 14 years, political and business figures from both countries gathered in one place and called for strengthening global cooperation, including the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) announced that it jointly held the 'Korea-Poland Business Forum' on the morning of the 14th (local time) at the Westin Hotel in Warsaw, Poland, together with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH).

The Korea-Poland Business Forum was held under the slogan "A Trusted and Prosperous Partner Connecting Asia and Europe," with both Presidents Yoon Suk-yeol and Andrzej Duda present, along with about 350 participants including businesspeople and government officials.

From the Korean side, more than 90 representatives from major conglomerates cooperating with Poland such as LG, Hanwha, LS, Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, Hyundai Construction, and Hyundai Rotem, as well as promising mid-sized and small enterprises with high cooperation potential with Poland, participated as part of President Yoon’s economic delegation. This economic delegation consisted of companies with promising cooperation potential with Poland across advanced industries, energy, infrastructure, and defense sectors. Companies in future promising fields such as renewable energy, batteries, mobility, and infrastructure accounted for 63%.

President Yoon encouraged the businesspeople of both countries in his congratulatory speech, and Polish President Andrzej Duda also expressed support for the strengthened partnership between the companies of the two countries in his congratulatory remarks.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on an official visit to Poland, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the Korea-Poland Business Forum held at a hotel in Warsaw on the 14th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

Kim Byung-joon, Acting Chairman of the FKI, said in his opening remarks, "Despite the difficult global economic situation last year, the trade volume between the two countries ($8.95 billion) reached an all-time high, and Korea has established itself as Poland’s largest investor among Asian countries." Acting Chairman Kim added, "Poland, which is emerging as a European advanced industry hub, and Korea, which is expanding its entry into Europe in core strategic industries such as batteries, hydrogen, and mobility, are optimal partners for each other. The two countries can cooperate not only on major Polish national projects such as nuclear power plants and new airport construction but also on European and global infrastructure development including the future reconstruction of Ukraine."

Piotr Dytko, Vice President of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), also emphasized, "More than 500 Korean companies have entered Poland," and "Korea is Poland’s most important partner and investor." He added, "The two countries share many similarities from economic, historical, and geopolitical perspectives and share common values. Poland can be a bridgehead to Europe, and Korea can be a bridgehead to Asia."

In the subsequent panel session, discussions were held on ▲new mobility such as electric vehicles ▲advanced industries ▲energy and infrastructure cooperation plans (including Ukraine reconstruction). Korean panelists included Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace; Kim Jung-hoon, Executive Director of Hyundai Rotem; Ryu Geung-seon, CEO of Kakao Mobility; Hwang Ju-ho, President of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power; Na Seung-sik, President of Korea Automotive Technology Institute; and Lee Byung-won, Director of Enchem, who discussed ways to advance cooperation in advanced industries between the two countries. On the Polish side, Krzysztof Burda, Chairman of the Polish E-Mobility Development Association, and Alexander Raik, Director of the Polish Alternative Fuels Association, participated.

Prior to the forum, a total of 33 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed. Under the presence of Minister Lee Chang-yang of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Minister Waldemar Buda of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, 26 Korean companies and 31 Polish companies pledged cooperation in various fields including Ukraine reconstruction, nuclear power, hydrogen and other renewable energy, aerospace R&D, and talent exchange.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.