National Chamber of Commerce Chairpersons Gather for the First Time in 4 Years... "Focusing Efforts on Expo Hosting"

Chairman Chey Tae-won and Over 100 Attendees Discuss Key Projects Including Supply Chain Support Center

The chairpersons of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) nationwide gathered in one place for the first time in four years, pledging to make every effort to secure the 2030 Busan World Expo.

The KCCI announced on the 12th that it held the '2023 National KCCI Chairpersons Meeting' at the Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul, where this was discussed. The event, held for the first time in four years since 2019 due to COVID-19, was attended by over 100 KCCI chairpersons nationwide, including Choi Tae-won, Chairman of KCCI; Seo Kyung-bae, Chairman of Amorepacific; Hyun Jeong-eun, Chairwoman of Hyundai Group; Lee Soon-hyung, Chairman of SeAH Steel; Cho Hyun-sang, Vice Chairman of Hyosung; Park Seung-hee, President of Samsung Electronics; Lee Hyung-hee, Chairman of SK Supex Communication Committee; and Ha Beom-jong, President of LG.

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is heading to the event hall to attend the 2023 National Chamber of Commerce Presidents' Meeting held at Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, in a video congratulatory message, stated, "The KCCI has been carrying out dedicated activities to attract the Busan Expo, deeply moving the public, and is leading the realization of corporate social value through the New Entrepreneurial Spirit Project." He added, "The government will also make further efforts to advance an economy centered on enterprises through revitalizing domestic demand and exports, regulatory innovation and technological innovation, opportunity development zones, and sales diplomacy."

The KCCI chairpersons gathered that day promised to unite the capabilities of businesspeople to successfully attract the Busan Expo. The chairpersons said, "Attracting the Busan Expo will be a golden opportunity for our country's economy to take a leap forward and enhance national prestige," and urged, "We hope not only companies but all citizens will join together with one heart to support the Expo bid."

Park Dong-min, Head of Planning and Coordination at KCCI and Secretary-General of the Private Committee for Supporting the Busan Expo Bid, introduced key activities such as the Pacific Island Nations Leaders Invitation Dinner (May), the 172nd General Assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) (June), and the CARICOM bid negotiation visit (August), requesting each regional chamber to leverage their overseas networks to support the Expo bid.

The meeting also discussed KCCI's key projects, including the Supply Chain Support Center. The chairpersons shared the main projects of the nationwide KCCI's 'Regional Supply Chain ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) Support Centers,' launched last month, and cooperation plans with regional chambers, discussing practical nationwide support measures to respond to ESG risks such as mandatory domestic ESG disclosures.

Regarding the New Entrepreneurial Spirit Council (ERT), they shared the progress of major projects this year, including the 'Sharing Together Project,' and exchanged opinions on expanding various practical activities centered on regional chambers. Additionally, concerning the communication platform, discussions were held on plans to utilize the mobile app scheduled for release before Chuseok and ways to use it to discover regional economic agendas.