The Ministry of Economy and Finance and KOTRA are strengthening cooperation with South Africa in the green hydrogen industry.
On July 4, KOTRA announced that it had held the "Interim Report Meeting on South Africa's Green Hydrogen Industry Development Plan" and the "Hydrogen Business Cooperation Seminar" in Seoul, where it discussed ways to expand cooperation in the hydrogen sector with South African government agencies. This event was part of the Korean government's Economic Development Experience Sharing Program.
The interim report meeting was attended by five South African government agencies, including the Department of Electrical Energy, the Department of Science and Innovation, and the Industrial Development Corporation. On the Korean side, representatives from academia, industry, and research institutes participated to share the progress of the project and discuss future directions.
On July 3, the day before the report meeting, the Korea Hydrogen Alliance hosted the "Korea-South Africa Hydrogen Materials, Parts, and Equipment Cooperation Seminar." Domestic hydrogen-related companies and public energy institutions participated to discuss technology trends and the potential for cooperation.
At the Hydrogen Business Cooperation Seminar held on July 4, domestic companies such as Hyundai Motor Company and Samsung C&T introduced their technological capabilities and business models, and sought practical cooperation measures with the South African side.
In addition, from July 7 to 9, an industrial field training program is scheduled. The South African delegation is expected to visit the Hyundai Motor Jeonju Plant, Ansan Hydrogen City, and Incheon Hydrogen Production Facility to experience the entire process from hydrogen production to storage and utilization.
In 2022, South Africa established the "Hydrogen Economy Development Strategy," focusing on decarbonizing transportation and manufacturing, expanding hydrogen exports, and fostering the parts industry. In the same year, South Africa formed the "Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance" with Kenya, Morocco, and others to accelerate policy development and investment attraction.
This project is expected to share Korea's hydrogen industry experience in line with South Africa's policy initiatives, and to lead to follow-up cooperation such as importing South African hydrogen, collaborating on strategic minerals, and establishing production bases for hydrogen mobility.
Lee Ji-hyung, Vice President of KOTRA, stated, "South Africa is an important partner that possesses key minerals for hydrogen such as iridium and platinum," and added, "Through this cooperation, we will expand practical joint projects across the entire hydrogen industry."
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