Hankyung Association Holds 1st 'CEO Dialogue' with Canadian Business Federation

First Meeting Since Launch at Lotte Hotel Sogong-dong on the 26th
"60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations... Developing Strategic Partnership for Carbon Neutrality Achievement"

The Korea Economic Association announced that it held the "1st Korea-Canada CEO Dialogue" on the 26th in collaboration with the Business Council of Canada (BCC). This strategic partnership was established to discuss various agendas, including carbon neutrality, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year.

The two organizations held the event at 9 a.m. at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Kim Chang-beom, Vice Chairman of the Korea Economic Association; Goldy Hyder, Chair of the BCC; Kang Jae-kwon, Economic Diplomacy Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Paul Topil, Canada’s Indo-Pacific Coordinator; Mark Shan, Senior Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED); and executives from companies such as Hanwha Ocean, SK Ecoplant, GS Engineering & Construction, HuSteel, Korea Mining and Resources Corporation (all from Korea), as well as BlackBerry, Cameco, Export Development Canada (EDC), and Enbridge (all from Canada).

Kim Chang-beom, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, is taking a commemorative photo with Goldie Hyder, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, on the 25th at the FKI Tower (formerly the Federation of Korean Industries Building).
[Photo by Hankyung Association]

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and next year will be the 10th anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), making the occasion highly significant, the Korea Economic Association noted. The economic trade volume between the two countries has doubled from approximately $8.6 billion (about 11.6 trillion KRW) in 2015, the year the FTA was announced, to $16.3 billion (about 22 trillion KRW) last year. Coordinator Kang said in his congratulatory remarks, "'CEO Dialogue' is a very meaningful new bridge that brings the two countries closer together on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year," adding, "As we approach the 10th anniversary of the FTA next year, we hope economic cooperation between the two countries will be further strengthened."

Canada is a country rich in secondary battery raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and graphite. It is an ideal partner not only for mineral resources but also for carbon-neutral businesses like Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology. Discussions were also held emphasizing that government support is essential to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in defense industry, hydrogen energy, and steel sectors.

Vice Chairman Kim said, "Observing recent events such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, I realized that geopolitical risks have become more severe than ever in their impact on the global economy and industry," adding, "It is meaningful to start a significant channel between companies of the two countries." He continued, "There is great potential for cooperation across the entire value chain, from materials like minerals to core technologies such as CCUS."