Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
LG Electronics goes all out to promote Busan's Expo bid to Africa
Cho Joo-wan, left, CEO of LG Electronics, poses with Kassim Mjaliwa, prime minister of Tanzania, at the senior official's office in this photo provided by LG, Sunday. The LG Electronics CEO recently visited three African countries including Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Ethiopia to promote Busan City’s bid to host the World Expo 2030. Courtesy of LG Electronics
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
LG Electronics has gone all-out to promote Busan's bid to host the World Expo in 2030 as its CEO recently visited three African nations ― Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Ethiopia ― and met officials there to explain why Korea's southern port city is the right fit for the global event, according to the tech company, Sunday.
The company said Cho met with government officials in these countries including Kassim Mjaliwa, prime minister of Tanzania and stressed why Busan is the best city for World Expo 2030.
Busan is currently competing for the host city spot for the international event with Saudi Arabia and Italy. The host city will be decided in November 2023 by the votes from the member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
“During the meetings, CEO Cho asked for their interest and support for Busan, a city of Korea that has experience and capability to present answers that encompass both the interests of developed and developing countries,” LG Electronics said.
To support Busan's bid to attract the 2030 event, LG Electronics has set up a task force and its CEO has led the special team.
In October, the company also invited ambassadors from six African countries ― Rwanda, Sudan, Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania ― and other diplomatic officials to LG Science Park in Seoul and asked for their support in Busan's bid.
Also, the company installed videos that promote Busan as a host candidate for the World Expo at airports in Busan, Gimpo and around 300 LG Best Shop stores nationwide.
In overseas countries, the company also has been playing promotional videos at popular places such as Times Square in New York and Piccadilly Circus in London.