Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is embarking on another tour of Europe to devise new ways to further advance Gyeongnam's key industries and economy.
The Gyeongnam delegation, led by Governor Park, will visit Poland, Denmark, and France in succession from June 12 to June 20.
Governor Park stated, "We aim to achieve tangible results in expanding exports and attracting investment in our core industries such as shipbuilding, defense, and aerospace. We will also seek solutions for energy transition and responses to low birth rates."
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (left), is talking with Philippe Baptiste, Chairman of the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), at the 2023 Aerospace Industry Exhibition in France on June 19, 2023. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
During the nine-day, seven-night itinerary, the Gyeongnam delegation plans to target the European market by supporting exports of shipbuilding and defense industries to Europe, strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the energy sector such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and green hydrogen, and holding the first overseas investment promotion session in conjunction with the opening of the Gyeongsangnam-do Paris Office.
The first stop will be Poland, where the delegation will sign a friendship and cooperation agreement with the Pomeranian Voivodeship and visit the Remontowa Shipyard to support exports in the shipbuilding and defense industries.
A business roundtable will also be held between companies from both countries, linked to Hanwha Ocean's submarine export project to Poland, known as the "Orka Project."
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), is listening to an explanation related to the aerospace industry during his visit to the Toulouse Space Center in France in June 2023. Photo by Gyeongnam Province
From June 16 to 18, the delegation will visit Denmark to seek cooperation focused on exchanges in the energy industry and future policy.
They will hold their first official exchange with the city of Copenhagen and discuss potential areas for future mutual cooperation.
Additionally, by working with Salt Foss Energy (formerly Seaborg) and the Energy Research Institute at the Technical University of Denmark, the delegation plans to expand exchanges in the energy sector, including nuclear power and green hydrogen production technology.
In particular, they plan to propose to Salt Foss Energy the establishment of a research and development (R&D) center in Gyeongnam.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (third from the right), is attending the Poland International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2024) on September 3, 2024, strengthening cooperation related to the defense industry. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Afterwards, the delegation will visit various large-scale playground facilities utilizing natural forests to explore elements that can be incorporated into the "Gyeongnam-style Nature Playground" model, which is being developed as a response to low birth rates.
In the final destination, France, the Gyeongsangnam-do Paris Office will officially open in Paris on June 19.
In conjunction with this, the first large-scale overseas investment promotion session will be held to promote Gyeongnam's core industries such as aerospace and defense, while also signing investment agreements with French companies.
Governor Park emphasized, "This visit to Europe is an opportunity to drive real exports and investment in Gyeongnam's core industries," adding, "We will also closely examine advanced cases for future responses, such as eco-friendly energy transition and solutions to the low birth rate problem."
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