Kwon Tae-shin, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, and Fran?ois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada, are having a cordial conversation before the "Meeting with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada" held at the Federation of Korean Industries Conference Center on the 25th, discussing key issues between Korea and Canada.
[Asia Economy Reporter Sunmi Park] In the future, cooperation between South Korea and Canada is expected to be further strengthened in future industries such as critical mineral supply chains, decarbonization, and advanced science and technology.
On the 25th, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) announced that it co-hosted a roundtable meeting with the Embassy of Canada in Korea, inviting Fran?ois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada.
Vice Chairman Kwon Tae-shin said in his opening remarks, “The elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership through the Korea-Canada summit last September sent a message to the international community about the close cooperation and mutual trust between governments in a world where recent cooperation and coordination have disappeared.” He added, “In particular, from the perspective of the Korean business community, it was greatly welcomed as it laid the foundation for strengthening the economic security partnership between Canada, a global mineral producer, and Korea, a manufacturer of advanced industries such as batteries and semiconductors.” He also expressed his expectation that Minister Champagne, who visited Korea, would present these details concretely through his speech and dialogue.
Minister Champagne, in a special speech titled “Strategic Challenges and Opportunities between Canada and Korea,” mentioned, “We are focusing on cooperation with Korea to secure a stable supply chain of critical minerals and related projects, and we welcome this opportunity.” He emphasized, “Canada can be a strategic partner in helping Korea reduce dependence on countries with high uncertainty and strengthen economic security.”
He continued, “Canada recognizes that cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific region is very important for long-term prosperity and security,” indicating that the cooperation between Korea and Canada regarding mineral supply chains and Indo-Pacific strategies will further develop.
Meanwhile, at the roundtable meeting, Vice Chairman Kwon announced that to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada next year, the FKI plans to hold the 'Korea-Canada CEO Dialogue' in the first half of next year to strengthen cooperation between the private economic sectors of both countries, and requested interest and support. In September, when the Canada summit was held, the FKI visited Toronto, Canada, and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Business Council of Canada (BCC) to establish a regular private consultative body called the 'Korea-Canada CEO Dialogue.' The first meeting is scheduled to be held in Seoul in the first half of next year.
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