"Korea and Spain Cooperate on Renewable Energy and Batteries to Address Climate Change"

The A380 sightseeing flight event held last April by the Spain Tourism Board, Asiana Airlines, and Incheon International Airport Corporation

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Businesspeople from Korea and Spain met in Madrid on the 16th (local time) to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries. The event, held in conjunction with President Moon Jae-in's state visit, was directly attended by President Moon and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S?nchez to lend their support. This is the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year that businesspeople from both countries have gathered in person for an event.

The two countries' chambers of commerce and KOTRA announced that they held a Green and Digital Business Forum that day. Originally, the two countries planned to hold the event in the first half of last year to coincide with the Spanish president's visit. Due to the delay of the visit caused by COVID-19, the event was held on a smaller scale this time. The Korea-Spain Economic Cooperation Committee, mainly composed of businesspeople from Korea and Spain, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in two years. It is the second oldest economic cooperation committee operated by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At the event, the Korean side's committee chairman of the Economic Cooperation Committee, Park Yong-man, chairman of Doosan Infracore, Kim Jong-hyun, CEO of LG Energy Solution, Heo Yong-su, CEO of GS Energy, Choi Sung-an, CEO of Samsung Engineering, Kim Hee-chul, head of Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS division, Song Ho-chul, head of the platform business division at Douzone Bizon, and Choi Young-seok, Chief Strategy Officer at ChargeIn, attended. Minister Moon Seung-wook of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA President Yoo Jung-yeol represented the government and related organizations.

On the Spanish side, Jos? Luis Bonet, chairman of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, ?scar Goitia, chairman of the Spanish Economic Cooperation Committee, Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Juan Ignacio Moro, Spanish Ambassador to Korea, Antonio Garamendi, chairman of the Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations, Javier Molina, CEO of BEFESA, and Spiridon Martinis, CEO of Ocean Winds, attended.

Chairman Park Yong-man referred to the fact that the Economic Cooperation Committee was held online last year and emphasized, "We need to increase cooperation in new technologies and new industries that can respond to climate change." He added, "I hope efforts to link supply chains for materials and components as well as advanced technologies will emerge to increase cooperation opportunities in green energy, ICT, batteries, and plant sectors," and said, "Let's expand cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and startups and support exchanges through governments or leading companies of both countries."

CEO Kim Jong-hyun said, "Spain has lithium mines and many major automobile factories, making it very attractive as a market for eco-friendly energy including electric vehicles," and added, "If Spain's strengths combine with LG Energy Solution's technology and abundant business experience, a more excellent success case than any other collaboration model can be created." GS Energy CEO Heo Yong-su stated, "Spain has accumulated operational experience and a global network through Europe's largest renewable energy projects," and said, "We will cooperate aiming to expand not only the domestic but also the Asian market by collaborating in Korea's green new deal market with high growth potential."

CEO Song Ho-chul said, "The entry of Korean digital companies into Spain will become an important asset for creating Spain's future industries and a foothold for jointly entering new markets." Kang Seok-gu, head of the International Headquarters at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "Trade and personnel exchanges between Korea and Spain have increased recently, but considering the potential of both countries, there is still room for further expansion," and added, "We will create a platform to help the contents discussed today work complementarily and efficiently between the two countries."