The 2nd Korea-France Business Future Dialogue Held
Cooperation Discussed in Decarbonization, Space, and Startups
Next Meeting to Be Held in Korea Next Year
The business communities of Korea and France exchanged trade information and discussed cooperation in new fields such as decarbonization, space, and startups amid global economic uncertainty.
The Korea Economic Association (KEA) announced that, together with the French business association MEDEF, it held the '2nd Korea-France Business Future Dialogue' on May 20, 2025 (local time) at Station F, the world's largest startup campus, located in Paris, France.
The Future Dialogue is a private economic consultative body between Korea and France that was launched in Seoul in May 2024. For this meeting, about 50 representatives from approximately 20 Korean companies, including Hyundai Motor, LG Chem, Korean Air, Hanwha Solutions, CJ, POSCO, and Poongsan, visited Paris.
On the French side, around 70 participants from leading companies in major industries such as Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, Airbus, Thales, BNP Paribas, and STMicroelectronics attended the event.
At the opening ceremony, Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, delivered the keynote speech, while at the closing ceremony, Clara Chappaz, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Affairs, gave the keynote address, each emphasizing the strategic importance of economic cooperation between the two countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ryu Jin, chairman of the Korea Economic Association (KEA), along with a Korean private economic delegation, attended the 'Korea-France Special Roundtable' held at the Palace of Versailles in France on the 19th (local time) and took a commemorative photo. From the left: Oh Jungkang, CEO of Nkem; Jang Jaehoon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company; Jean Lemierre, Chairman of BNP Paribas; Fran?ois Jacoby, CEO of Air Liquide (French side chairman); Ryu Jin, Chairman of KEA; Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Sohn Kyungshik, Chairman of CJ; Wouter Van Versch, Senior Vice President of Airbus; Heo Jinsu, President of SPC; Cho Won Tae, Chairman of Korean Air; Kim Changbeom, Vice Chairman of KEA. Provided by KEA
Through a joint declaration, the business communities of both countries discussed global economic changes and cooperation opportunities in four key areas: aerospace, advanced materials, decarbonized energy, and startups, and agreed to strengthen future-oriented cooperation.
To address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality goals, the business communities of both countries decided to deepen cooperation in decarbonized energy and mobility, including hydrogen, renewable energy, and energy efficiency technologies. In particular, they agreed to identify joint projects for the eco-friendly transformation of industrial and transportation systems using hydrogen and renewable energy, and to strengthen cooperation by sharing relevant policies and technology standards. This includes the development of eco-friendly mobility solutions and infrastructure for sustainable transportation.
The business communities of both countries reaffirmed that the aerospace industry is a sustainable future growth engine and agreed to expand joint research and technological cooperation for next-generation aircraft and space development. In particular, they pledged to enhance their joint position within the global value chain through supply chain cooperation and technology exchange in areas such as aircraft components, space navigation, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul).
They also agreed to pursue close cooperation in the fields of semiconductors, batteries, and new material development, and to accelerate innovation through increased investment and R&D collaboration between companies from both countries. To this end, the governments of both countries were recommended to provide institutional support for local business expansion and cooperative projects, and to promote the establishment of joint infrastructure.
On the occasion of this meeting, the business communities of both countries agreed to expand cooperation between startups and innovative companies. By connecting France's innovation hubs with Korea's startup support programs, they plan to enhance opportunities for startup exchange and collaboration, and to support promising companies in entering global markets. To achieve this, they called on both governments to strengthen policy support to further vitalize the startup ecosystem.
The business communities of both countries agreed to cooperate as value-sharing nations that uphold the principles of liberal democracy and market economy mechanisms, to strengthen their collaborative systems on the international stage, and to work together on common challenges such as stabilizing global supply chains and achieving sustainable growth. They also recognized the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation at the private sector level, and pledged to continue building trust and results through regularized Future Dialogues. The 3rd Future Dialogue is scheduled to be held in Korea in 2026.
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