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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Vice Minister Welcomes Fiji’s Foreign Minister
Vice Minister Welcomes Fiji’s Foreign Minister Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Kim Junggwan discusses investment in the renewable energy sector with Fijian Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola on June 2 in Seoul. The Fijian Minister visited Korea for the first Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. date2011-06-14
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Vice Minister Speaks With Russian Ambassador to Korea
Vice Minister Speaks With Russian Ambassador to Korea Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Kim Junggwan sits with Russian Ambassador to Korea Konstantin V. Vnukov on June 3 in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. The two officials discussed cooperation on energy and resources. date2011-06-14
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Korea, UAE Investors Discuss Business Partnerships
Korea, UAE Investors Discuss Business Partnerships Ties between Korea and the United Arab Emirates have made considerable progress since 2009, when Korea won a landmark deal to build nuclear power plants in the Middle Eastern country. To expand the scope of bilateral cooperation even further, the two countries recently held a joint investment forum in Seoul. At the forum, UAE delegates had a chance to discuss promising partnerships with potential Korean investors. They explained the country&rsq date2011-06-10
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Vice Minister Greets Ghanaian Delegation
Vice Minister for Industry and Technology Yoon Sang-Jick speaks with Ghana Investment Promotion Center Chief Executive Officer George Aboagye on May 27 in the Gwacheon Government Complex, south of Seoul. The discussion touched on bilateral partnerships concerning trade, investment, energy and infrastructure. date2011-05-31
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Minister Plans Korea’s Role in Indonesia’s Economic Development
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung traveled to Bali last week to discuss bilateral economic ties. Indonesia is moving forward with the “Master Plan on the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development,” an initiative to advance its economy with Korea as a close partner. The visit was a follow-up to a meeting between the national leaders of both countries, which took place in December. Government officials and business leaders from the two countries gathered for the first meeting of a new joint working-level task force to discuss promising areas for cooperation and plan joint projects. The meeting focused on seven sectors that feature prominently in Indonesia’s Master Plan: trade and investment, industry, energy and resources, construction and infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries, defense, and finance. The two countries signed nine memorandums of understanding in such areas as hydroelectricity, photovoltaic energy, shipbuilding, textile machinery and industrial technology transfer. An intergovernmental MOU outlines how the two sides will work together to implement Indonesia’s Master Plan. Minister Choi said the MOUs were the first step toward the realization of the two national leaders’ forward-looking vision. Minister Choi proposed what he called a “two-track approach” to the Master Plan—one for policymakers and the other for businesses. “Koreans are known for a ‘cepat cepat’ culture—it’s in our blood to do things well and fast,” the Minister said. “We will take this ‘cepat cepat’ approach to make Indonesia the economic powerhouse in this region and beyond.” In the Indonesian language, the word “cepat” means “fast.” For details on the Minister’s two-track approach, please see the full text of the speech dated May 23. Minister Choi also had a separate meeting with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa. On the following day, the Minister traveled to Jakarta to visit President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. * Released by the Indonesia Division date2011-05-25
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Minister Speaks with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung meets with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa (second from right) on May 18 in Bali. The two officials discussed economic partnerships, with particular emphasis on the Master Plan on the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development. date2011-05-24
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Minister Visits Indonesian President
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung speaks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on May 19 in Jakarta. Minister Choi requested the Indonesian President’s continued interest in economic cooperation between the two countries. date2011-05-24
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Minister Welcomes Vietnamese Deputy Minister
Minister Welcomes Vietnamese Deputy Minister Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung meets with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa on May 5 in Seoul. Their discussion focused on cooperation on energy, industrial technology, and the construction of nuclear power plants date2011-05-17
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Vice Minister Speaks with EU Climate Action Commissioner
Vice Minister Speaks with EU Climate Action Commissioner Vice Minister for Industry and Technology Ahn Hyunho greets EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard on May 2 in Seoul. Their discussion touched on climate change, green growth, and the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement. date2011-05-12
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FTA/Economic Cooperation
Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Travels to Latin America to Forge Stronger Economic Partnerships
Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Park Young June traveled to Latin America last week to strengthen Korea’s ties with Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru. The Korean delegation included representatives of public organizations and private businesses. The 10-day trip was a chance to review the progress of many joint projects and to discuss additional areas for cooperation. In Mexico, the first destination on the Vice Minister’s itinerary, an energy meeting resulted in two memorandums of understanding—notably, one concerned rare metals. These are 35 elements in the periodic table. They are needed to manufacture products as diverse as wind turbines, car batteries and video cameras. Vice Minister Park also met with Mexican General Coordinator of Mining Maria Jimena Valverde Valdes. The two officials discussed mutually beneficial partnerships to make both sides more competitive in the global mineral market. When Vice Minister Park met with his Mexican counterpart, Vice Minister of Energy Mario Gabriel Budebo, discussions focused on the development of oil and gas fields, nuclear energy, energy conservation, public infrastructure and alternative fuel technologies. In particular, Vice Minister Park proposed a training program for nuclear experts that will be tailored to suit Mexico’s needs. * Released by the Mineral Resources Division date2011-05-09