Gwangju City and Virginia State, USA Join Hands in 'Food Tech' Collaboration

Mayor Kang Ki-jung Holds 'Meeting' with Virginia State Government and State University
Agriculture, Food Technology, Network Building... Discussions on Export Expansion

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung is taking a commemorative photo with attendees after a meeting to explore cooperation in agriculture and food tech sectors between the two regions, following a visit from officials of the Virginia state government at the city hall business room on the 18th. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City and the state of Virginia in the United States have joined hands to advance food tech development.

On the afternoon of the 18th, Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju met with officials including the Virginia state minister at the city hall business room to hold a “Meeting for Cooperation in Agriculture and Food Tech.”

The meeting was attended by 12 people including Mayor Kang, Joseph Guthrie, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Robert N. Corley III, Dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University, Lee Gye-han, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Chonnam National University, and Kim Du-woon, Head of the Food Tech Department at Chonnam National University.

The meeting was organized to expand exchanges to local governments and promote development in the agri-food and food tech sectors, following Chonnam National University’s establishment of the Food Tech Department in 2023 and the foundation of a global talent development base with Virginia State University starting this year.

During the meeting, discussions were held on ▲building networks for technological innovation in agriculture, food, and food tech ▲mutual support for exports and imports between the two regions and resource and research exchanges among universities, research institutions, and companies ▲and establishing a collaborative system for sustainable agricultural development models.

Joseph Guthrie, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said, “Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, and the state plays a leading role in life sciences and biotechnology. Joint research between Virginia State University and Chonnam National University will greatly contribute to the industrial development of Gwangju and Virginia.”

Mayor Kang Ki-jung stated, “Gwangju is fostering advanced strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and mobility, and it also has the geographical advantage of being located in Honam, where agriculture and food culture have developed thanks to fertile land. As interest in food tech, which combines advanced technology throughout the entire process of production, distribution, and consumption, grows, we will grow the industry through cooperation.”

Meanwhile, Gwangju City is promoting export marketing support projects such as providing export logistics cost support for local agri-food export companies and distributors, inviting overseas buyers, and holding overseas promotional events.

The “2024 Gwangju Food Expo” held last month was hosted under the theme “Food Tech, Fostering Gwangju’s Future New Growth Industry,” featuring 300 companies and 450 booths. In August, Gwangju City and the World Korean Food Federation signed a business agreement to cooperate on the overseas expansion of Gwangju kimchi and food, leading efforts to accelerate the overseas advancement of regional K-FOOD.