By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak plans to meet with the chairmen of conglomerates as early as next month to discuss ways to spur an economic recovery, Cheong Wa Dae officials said Tuesday.
The exact timing for the gathering has not been set, but it is likely to be before the Sept. 13-15 Chuseok holidays, the officials said.
``Lee plans to invite owners of conglomerates to the presidential office next month and talk about sluggish corporate investment and how to revive the slowing economy,'' a presidential spokesman said.
The President is expected to reaffirm his pledge to set up a more business-friendly environment by easing rules for corporate investment and business expansion, observers say.
The spokesman said Lee may invite some chairmen to a welcoming party he will host at Cheong Wa Dae on Aug. 25 for visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Hu will also hold a meeting with heads of economic organizations on Aug. 26 to seek ways to boost economic ties between Seoul and Beijing. Some 40 corporate owners and chief executives accompanied President Lee on his four-day visit to China in May.
In April, Lee met with business leaders and promised to regularize such a meeting to reflect their complaints and difficulties on the government's economic polices.
The Lee administration is currently drawing up a list of 100 national projects that it will pursue during Lee's tenure to enhance national competitiveness. The list will be announced early next month.
``At his meeting with business leaders, Lee will ask for their full-pledged cooperation to achieve economic goals and to overcome external risks facing the country,'' the official said.
On Aug. 12, Lee granted special pardons on the occasion of Liberation Day to 78 leading businessmen, including Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo and SK Energy Chairman Chey Tae-won, who were convicted of fraud and embezzlement.
Cheong Wa Dae said at the time the pardon will help the government achieve social harmony and accelerate efforts to revive the economy and create jobs.