Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and Chairman of the National Research Foundation, on the evening of the 18th at Dodamso (the former governor's residence) to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two regions and innovation collaboration.
This meeting between the two was the first in six years.
During his one and a half years serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Kim Dong-yeon met Heng, then Singapore's Minister of Finance, several times at various economic cooperation forums such as the G20, ASEAN+3 finance ministers' meetings, and annual meetings of international financial institutions including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). They attended meetings together or held separate bilateral talks to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between their countries, developing into friends who also shared personal conversations.
Governor Kim expressed his pleasure, saying, "I have met the Deputy Prime Minister many times in various places such as Singapore, Argentina, the Philippines, and the United States. Although our positions have changed, I am so glad to meet you here in Korea."
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat responded, "We have been long-time friends since our days as finance ministers. I have met many finance ministers from various countries, but Governor, your deep knowledge of economics and finance always made our conversations very fruitful. I am truly happy to be invited to meet here in Gyeonggi Province."
The two, who had met as ministers of South Korea and Singapore, respectively, six years ago, now met as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea's largest local government, and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation overseeing national R&D policy. They exchanged views on cooperation in new areas such as R&D exchanges, human exchanges, and youth exchanges for future industry innovation.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (left) warmly shakes hands with Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and Chairman of the National Research Foundation, at Dodamso in the former governor's residence in Suwon on the 18th.
Governor Kim said, "I hope that today will be a turning point for more cooperative relationships between Gyeonggi Province and Singapore. I look forward to better outcomes in cooperation across all industries including AI, big data, mobility, and semiconductors, as well as in people-to-people exchanges."
He added, "The commonalities between Gyeonggi Province and Singapore can be summarized in two words: 'innovation' and 'courage.' Innovation for opportunity and courage toward the future. Based on this, both countries have enjoyed rapid economic development. We are all doing our best to lead innovation and create a better future for our people. Therefore, I have great expectations for all the possibilities ahead of us. I believe we are partners who can offer a lot to each other."
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat expressed his expectations, saying, "What I saw today in Gyeonggi Province is a vibrant cradle of innovation and talent development. As the largest province in South Korea, I believe there will be many good opportunities for cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Singapore in the future."
He continued, "In an era where governments have changed in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom and uncertainty is increasing, it is a time when much effort is needed to cope with change. In that regard, I think the various systems in Gyeonggi Province that encourage young people to take on new challenges send a very positive message."
After the official meeting, Governor Kim proposed the formation of a high-level working group to strengthen exchange and cooperation between the two sides, as well as expanding youth exchanges and research field exchanges. Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat responded enthusiastically, calling it a "good idea."
Before meeting Governor Kim that day, Deputy Prime Minister Heng toured the Pangyo Techno Valley Startup Campus and the Gwanggyo Techno Valley Gyeonggi Bio Hub, which were developed by Gyeonggi Province, to observe the province's startup cultivation and support policies for research and development (R&D) in advanced industries.
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