Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Korea and Uzbekistan expand cooperation in trade, supply chains, and energy

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on June 14 that the ministry entered a total of four agreements and protocols with the Uzbek Government on the occasion of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit, the last destination on his Central Asia tour, where the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in trade, supply chains, infrastructure, and other areas.   First, MOTIE entered a protocol for bilateral negotiations on supporting Uzbekistan’s World Trade Organization (WTO) accession, which was signed by Minister Dukgeun Ahn and Azizbek Urunov, the special representative of the President of Uzbekistan on WTO issues.   MOTIE also entered an agreement with Uzbekistan’s Investments, Industry, and Trade Ministry for invigorating the Korea-Uzbekistan Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, leading to anticipation of deeper bilateral discussions not only in traditional cooperation areas like trade and supply chains but also in new areas like finance, culture, and ICT.   In view of the recent global supply chain crisis, MOTIE sealed an agreement for supply chain cooperation on critical minerals with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology to strengthen the two countries' strategic partnership. As the first bilateral intergovernmental critical minerals supply chain partnership, the agreement is assessed to have laid the groundwork for mutually beneficial cooperation for diversifying Korea’s critical minerals supply chain and advancing Uzbekistan’s critical minerals value chain.   In addition, MOTIE inked an agreement with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, which aims to enhance the efficiency of Uzbekistan’s energy infrastructure and establish the base for Korea’s district heating companies’ Uzbek market entry. date2024-06-14

21st Korea-ASEAN FTA Implementation Committee Meeting

Director General for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Policy Ahn Chang-yong and Alpana Roy, Senior Economic Official to ASEAN and Director at the Singaporean Ministry of Trade and Industry, led the Korean and ASEAN delegations, respectively, in the 21st Korea-ASEAN FTA Implementation Committee meeting for furthering discussions on upgrading the bilateral FTA in Seoul through June 12–13.   The two sides discussed member countries’ FTA upgrade negotiation schedule; scope and method; joint research projects on new trade issues like digital and supply chains; and conversion of the tariff reduction schedule (TRS) and Product Specific Rules of Origin (PSR) from HS2017 to HS2022. date2024-06-13

Korea and EU hold 12th meeting of FTA Committee on Trade in Goods

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) attended the 12th meeting of the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Committee on Trade in Goods on June 12 in Brussels, Belgium.   The above Committee is a communication channel for discussing tariff and non-tariff issues related to the trade of goods. The Korean and EU delegations took stock of the bilateral FTA implementation progress and discussed measures for solving Korean and EU companies’ mutual market entry issues.   Since entering into force in 2011, the Korea-EU FTA has served as a pillar in bilateral trade and investment, helping their trade volume achieve an average annual growth rate of three percent amid global uncertainties. Last year’s Korea-EU trade volume hit a record high of USD 136.1 billion on the backs of strong demand for Korean automobiles and locally established plants’ increased parts and facility investment.   During the meeting, the Korean delegation (led by MOTIE’s Director General for Trade Policy Chang Sung-gil) focused on issues concerning the EU’s battery regulations, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), deforestation-free products regulation, and the steel safeguard extension, while responding to the EU’s questions regarding Korea’s cosmetics safety management system and alcoholic beverage labeling and online retail system. date2024-06-12

Korea and ASEAN hold 21st FTA Implementing Committee meeting

Director General for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Policy Ahn Chang-yong is leading the Korean delegation in the 21st Korea-ASEAN FTA Implementing Committee meeting for furthering discussions on upgrading the bilateral FTA in Seoul through June 12–13. The ASEAN delegation is led by Alpana Roy, Senior Economic Official to ASEAN and Director at the Singaporean Ministry of Trade and Industry.   The Korea-ASEAN FTA Agreement on Trade in Goods entered into force in 2007, followed by the Trade in Services Agreement and the Investment Agreement, which both came into effect in 2009. Since 2013, the two sides have been engaging in discussions for further expanding their FTA.   During the 20th Implementing Committee meeting held this March, the two sides discussed whether to proceed with phased follow-up negotiations, based on the joint research outcomes on upgrading the FTA. In this 21st meeting, the two sides will be discussing the member countries’ FTA upgrade negotiation schedule; scope and method; joint research projects on new trade issues like digital and supply chains; and conversion of the tariff reduction schedule (TRS) and Product Specific Rules of Origin (PSR) from HS2017 to HS2022. date2024-06-12

Minister Ahn meets Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn met with Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Frederick Shava on June 5 in Seoul on the margins of the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 and discussed trade and investment cooperation and signed the bilateral Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) agreement. date2024-06-07

Minister Ahn meets with Central African Republic ministers

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn met with Minister of Trade and Industry of the Central African Republic Thierry Patrick Akoloza and Minister of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing Gervais Mbata on June 5 in Seoul on the margins of the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 and discussed economic and minerals cooperation. date2024-06-07

First and largest Korea-Africa summit seals 47 agreements and MOUs

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on June 5 that through the Korea-Africa Summit 2024, a total of 47 agreements and memorandum of understanding (MOUs) were sealed in various areas like energy, minerals, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Moreover, 12 countries participated in the ministerial talks held with aim to expand economic cooperation.   On the second day of the Summit on June 5, approximately 400 persons, composed of both sides’ entrepreneurs, experts, and key government figures, were present at the Korea-Africa Business Summit 2024. Hosted by MOTIE and co-organized by six related institutions, the Business Summit spurred discussions on industrialization, trade, investment, food, resource security, decarbonization, and climate change, drawing the blueprint for the shared growth of Korea and Africa in the future.   MOTIE sealed 12 MOUs with 11 African countries for intergovernmental economic cooperation in trade, investment, and minerals. First, with Tanzania, MOTIE jointly declared the launching of negotiations for the bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). MOTIE also agreed to start pushing negotiations for an EPA with Morrocco, commencing discussions on a trade agreement that would cover supply chains, digital, and clean economy. With eight African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Côte d'Ivoire, and Zimbabwe, the ministry signed the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) for establishing a tailored economic cooperation platform void of bound tariffs.   Also, with Tanzania and Madagascar, MOTIE entered bilateral MOUs on critical minerals cooperation for stronger supply chain partnership with African countries. To note, the Korea-Madagascar Critical Minerals Cooperation MOU signing ceremony (June 4) was held in the presence of Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, who expressed anticipation towards the bilateral minerals partnership.   As for the private sector, a total of 35 agreements and MOUs were inked between the two sides’ private parties, through which Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), K-SURE, and Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR) will be stepping up their cooperation with African countries in areas like small modular reactors (SMRs), energy storage systems (ESS), trade and investment, new renewables, and critical minerals.   Hyosung sealed a $30 million transformer supply contract with Eletricidade de Moçambique at the Korea-Africa Business Partnership and Wise Bridge entered an agreement with Ethiopian and Kenyan companies on a joint venture for establishing a home appliances parts assembly line. OHYOUNG signed a contract deal for exporting dyes ($10 million) and E Green Global (EGG) signed one on smart farming.   Furthermore, Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat agreed on establishing a Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Commission for the continued development of Korea-Africa economic cooperation.   Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn and Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong both held numerous talks with African counterparts on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Summit 2024 to discuss measures for wider cooperation in trade, investment, resources, supply chains, and digital.   At the beginning of this year, MOTIE launched a public-private joint support group consisting of major economic groups, institutes, and companies to prepare for a successful summit. The ministry plans to keep providing support so that the economic cooperation measures and agreements discussed during the Summit produce tangible outcomes and that the two sides can envision a forward-looking partnership. date2024-06-07

Trade Minister attends IPEF ministerial meeting in Singapore

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong attended the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial Meeting and Clean Economy Investor Forum through June 5–6 in Singapore, where 14 IPEF partners – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the U.S., and Vietnam – gathered to implement the Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II), Clean Economy (Pillar III), and the Fair Economy (Pillar IV) Agreements and to uncover and facilitate joint projects in detail.   Ministers of partner countries signed the concluded Clean Economy Agreement and Fair Economy Agreement and agreed to promptly hold the inaugural Supply Chain Council meeting and push joint efforts in accordance with the Supply Chain Agreement that has come into effect.   On the margins of the meeting, Korea’s trade chief held bilateral talks with a number of counterparts, including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, on clean economy programs like clean electricity and small modular reactor (SMR) projects; Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong on measures for strengthening Korea-Singapore supply chain cooperation; and with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto, with whom he signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and on supporting companies’ global projects on carbon reduction and supply chain cooperation.   Over 300 persons participated in the Clean Economy Investor Forum, including the Asia-Pacific region’s governments and representatives of 103 investment firms, including the National Pension Service (NPS), Korea Post, Hana Financial Investment, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), BlackRock, and Macquarie Group. The Forum also ran a briefing on a total of 72 clean infrastructure projects valued at USD 23 billion and 10 Korean startups like PMGROW and 60Hertz engaged in the Indo Pacific Climate Tech 100, a program connecting top climate tech startups to global investors through in-person meetings and presentations.   Trade Minister Cheong remarked that “This Forum proves that IPEF is up and running and that the region’s companies will tangibly benefit from the initiative,” and added that the Korean government will give full measure to accelerating Korean firms’ project bid winning and local market entry by building on this momentum. date2024-06-07

9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Korea-Turkmenistan Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Dukgeun Ahn and Turkmenistan’s Chairman of the Board of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs Rahimberdi Jepbarov held the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Korea-Turkmenistan Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation on June 3 via teleconferencing and discussed cooperation in trade, investment, and plant and signed the Agreed Minutes. date2024-06-04

Trade Minister meets Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy

Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong met Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Næss on June 3 in Sejong City and discussed stronger economic cooperation measures for shipbuilding, maritime, clean energy, Korea-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the Korea-Norway Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF). date2024-06-04