Attendance at the Korea-Turkey Business Forum
"Korean Shipbuilding Industry to Support Turkey's Caspian Sea Expansion"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering the keynote speech at the 'Korea-Turkmenistan Business Forum' held at the Chamber of Commerce in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on the morning of the 11th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
During his state visit to the three Central Asian countries, President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 11th (local time) urged Turkmenistan, a resource-rich country, and South Korea, which possesses advanced technology, to "accelerate the pace of economic cooperation like the Turkmen's famous horse, the Akhal-Teke."
President Yoon attended the 'Korea-Turkmenistan Business Forum' held at the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry that morning and stated, "Turkmenistan, the world's fourth-largest natural gas holder, and South Korea, with industrialization experience and advanced technology, have many tasks to accomplish together in the future." The event, held on the occasion of President Yoon's state visit, was jointly organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In his keynote speech, President Yoon said, "Since Korean companies first secured the desulfurization facility contract for the Galkynysh gas field in 2009, exchanges between the two countries have steadily expanded," and praised the efforts of businesspeople by saying, "Thanks to the proactive communication and close cooperation of businesspeople, the two countries have grown even closer."
In particular, President Yoon emphasized that Turkmenistan, the world's fourth-largest natural gas holder, and South Korea, with industrialization experience and advanced technology, must further accelerate the pace of economic cooperation. Referring to the Akhal-Teke, a horse symbolizing Turkmenistan, President Yoon implied the importance of swift progress in economic cooperation between the two countries.
President Yoon first stressed the need to further advance cooperation in the energy resource sector. He said, "Korean companies have been recognized for their technology and capabilities by successfully constructing numerous plants in Turkmenistan with world-class construction skills," and added, "I hope Korean companies will continue to actively participate in Turkmenistan's plant projects."
Anduk Geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (left), Hong Hyun-sung, CEO of Hyundai Engineering (second from right), and Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs to the President, are conversing with Maksat Babayev, Chairman of Turkmenistan State Gas Company, at the "Korea-Turkmenistan Business Forum" held at the Chamber of Commerce in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on the morning of the 11th (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
He also emphasized the necessity of revitalizing trade and investment between the two countries. President Yoon expressed hope that exchanges and cooperation between companies of both countries would become more active based on the recently signed 'Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF),' and pledged to promptly finalize the 'Investment Protection Agreement' to establish an institutional foundation that allows companies to invest with confidence.
Furthermore, President Yoon urged, "We must actively utilize Turkmenistan's skies and seas." He added, "Expanding air routes connecting the two countries will make the movement of people and goods much easier," and noted, "Cooperation with South Korea's globally competitive shipbuilding industry will greatly assist Turkmenistan's access to the Caspian Sea."
The forum was attended by about 200 people, including government officials and businesspeople from both countries. On the Korean side, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo, Hyundai Engineering CEO Hong Hyun-sung, and Daewoo E&C Chairman Jung Won-joo participated. On the Turkmenistan side, Supreme Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Presidential Advisor Ashyrguly Begliyev, Deputy Prime Minister for Construction and Industry Baymurat Annamammedov, Chairman of the Foreign Economic Bank Rahimberdi Japarov, and Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mergen Gurdov were present.
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