Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
KITA chief to visit Caribbean countries to help promote Busan's Expo bid
Korea International Trade Association Chairman Koo Ja-yeol speaks at the 59th Trade Day ceremony held at COEX in Seoul, Dec. 5, 2022. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Koo Ja-yeol, head of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), will visit five Caribbean countries as a presidential envoy to promote Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030.
According to KITA, Koo will visit five Caribbean countries, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda, for 16 days from Feb. 25 to March 12.
Koo will accompany a delegation of about 20 people including KITA executives and hold meetings with the prime ministers and foreign ministers of the five countries during his visit, to deliver a personal letter from President Yoon Suk-yeol and ask for support for Busan's Expo bid.
Along with this, the government also discussed ways to expand economic exchanges with these countries in climate change, environment and marine, forest preservation and agricultural technology cooperation, tourism cooperation, digital transformation and green economy transition-related public-private cooperation projects.
KITA is also planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Caribbean trade and investment promotion agencies and economic organizations to expand economic exchanges at the private level.
Last October, Koo held a business exchange event inviting ambassadors from 12 African countries and asked for support for Busan's Expo bid. Representatives from Gabon, Sierra Leone, Angola, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Zambia attended the event.