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.
KCCI chief meets heads of Portugal, Denmark to request support for Busan's Expo bid
KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, left, delivers a personal letter from President Yoon Suk Yeol to Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da Costa at the Prime Minister's Residence in Lisbon, Friday (local time). Courtesy of KCCI
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won held meetings with the prime ministers of Portugal and Demark to win support for Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030, according to the KCCI, Sunday.
Chey met with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da Costa at the Prime Minister's Residence in Lisbon, Friday (local time). During the meeting, plans to expand economic cooperation between the two countries and Korea's efforts for hosting the Expo in Busan were discussed.
“As Portugal is a leading country in new and renewable energy, where renewable energy accounts for 54 percent of its electricity production, we are looking forward to cooperation between the two countries in energy conversion and new and renewable energy. We will be able to seek ways to cooperate at the private level,” Chey said. “The World Expo 2030 in Busan will serve as a platform to discuss problems facing humanity and find solutions.”
“Portugal is located at a strategic point connecting Europe and South America and plays an important role in the global supply chain,” Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said. “We look forward to expanding cooperation with companies in fields such as batteries, semiconductors and green hydrogen.”
KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, left, delivers a personal letter from President Yoon Suk-yeol to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during his visit to Copenhagen, March 2 (local time). Courtesy of KCCI
Chey visited Copenhagen on Thursday, where he met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and delivered a letter from President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Following the meeting with the Danish prime minister, Chey met with key government officials in charge of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), including Danish Business Authority Director General Katrine Winding, and Permanent Secretary of State for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs Michael Dithmer to discuss Busan's Expo bid while sharing a consensus on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.
KCCI Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee also had a separate meeting with a high-ranking official from the Danish Business Association (DI) and asked for support.
The delegation of Korean companies led by Choi has visited 84 countries since last June to seek support for Busan's bid to host the Expo.
“Through detailed role division and cooperation between the government and the private sector, we were able to meet many member countries of the BIE in a short period of time and form a consensus,” Woo said. “We plan to produce good results through more effective negotiation activities during the remaining period.”