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| Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won, second from right, co-chair of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, speaks during the committee meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, Friday. Foreign Minister Park Jin, right, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, third from right, also the co-chair, attended the meeting. Courtesy of KCCI |
By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won, who is also the co-chair of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, stressed that Korea is receiving more positive evaluations as a potential host of World Expo 2030, saying that both the government and companies need to come together to host the event in Busan.
"We may have been in a disadvantageous position in the beginning, but now we have come on par," Chey said during the committee's third meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, Friday. "The first half of this year, with a lot of big events, is the time when the outcome of the game will be decided."
The chairman emphasized three key factors Korea needs to focus on to win the bid: The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) visit to Korea in April, the fourth presentation in June and tailored diplomatic strategies for each member state by both the private and public sector.
"The public and private sector must mobilize all available policy tools and business capabilities to win member states' hearts by preparing support measures tailored to each country's pending issues," he said.
Chey compared the competition to host the Expo with a game of Go. "In the next nine months, there will be fierce battles to win even a single vote. If we do everything, the number of accumulated wins will lead to victory," Chey said.
The meeting, co-chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Chairman Chey, was held to discuss detailed plans for diplomatic efforts, on-site inspections by the BIE and the 4th presentation. The host city for World Expo 2030 will be decided by vote at the BIE General Assembly in Paris at the end of November.
"With nine months remaining until the final decision, the competition among candidate countries will intensify," Prime Minister Han said.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy also announced its plans, which include its response to the BIE's on-site inspection, public relations and diplomatic efforts. The ministry plans diverse promotion programs both at home and abroad, as well as the promotion of Busan's bid during the 2023 World Climate Industry Expo, which will be held at BEXCO in Busan in May.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that it will set the bid for the Expo as a top priority in its diplomatic activities.
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