Gathering Under the Theme of Innovation and Shared Prosperity
Leading Business Figures from Both Countries in Attendance
Discussions on Advanced Industries, Infrastructure, and Defense
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Korea Economic Association have pledged business cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in sectors such as advanced industries, energy, and defense.
On November 19 at 10:00 a.m. local time, KOTRA and the Korea Economic Association, together with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held the "Korea-UAE Business Roundtable" at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, under the theme "Future Partnership: Innovation, Sustainability, and Shared Prosperity."
This roundtable, held during President Lee Jaemyung's state visit to the UAE, was attended by around 50 business leaders and government officials from both countries.
On the Korean side, prominent representatives from key industries with a history of active cooperation with the UAE were present, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jaeyong, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dongkwan, SK Supex Council AI Committee Chairman Yoo Youngsang, LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo Wan, HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Cho Seok, Doosan Enerbility Vice Chairman Chung Yeonin, GS Energy President Heo Yongsu, Korea Electric Power Corporation President Kim Dongcheol, Naver CEO Choi Sooyoun, and LIG Nex1 President Shin Ikhyeon.
Representing the UAE were Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Korea Economic Association Chairman Ryu Jin, and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun are attending the "Korea-UAE Business Roundtable" held at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, engaging in a cordial conversation. Korea Economic Association.
During the roundtable, discussions on Korea-UAE cooperation were divided into three main sectors: advanced industries; infrastructure, energy, and defense; and culture. Since Korean companies first participated in UAE infrastructure construction, the two countries have continued their collaboration and are now seeking future partnerships in advanced industries and other fields.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Ryu Jin highlighted the strength of bilateral cooperation, stating, "Korea and the UAE share the common experience of achieving miracles in barren lands." He emphasized that the combination of Korea's technological prowess and the UAE's capacity for innovation has made the two countries the most trusted partners in energy, infrastructure, and defense, and identified AI as the central axis for future innovation cooperation.
He added, "The UAE aims to become a global AI leader by the 2030s, and Korea possesses world-class competitiveness in AI semiconductors and practical technologies. Together, our countries can establish a global AI innovation hub."
In the advanced industries sector, companies such as Samsung, Hyundai Motor, LG Electronics, SK, and Naver expressed their commitment to building a future innovation hub centered on AI in partnership with the UAE. On the UAE side, key institutions and companies including Mubadala (sovereign wealth fund), Presight, Hub71, and National Pulse Group participated to discuss potential collaboration in future technologies such as data, AI, and smart cities.
In the defense, energy, and infrastructure sectors, GS Energy proposed directions for cooperation in energy transition projects such as clean hydrogen and low-carbon ammonia. Korea Electric Power Corporation expressed its intent to expand cooperation into next-generation power sectors such as gas combined cycle, HVDC (high-voltage direct current), and ESS (energy storage systems), building on the successful Barakah nuclear power plant project completed with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). On the UAE side, key defense institutions such as Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), EDGE (UAE defense industry holding company), and Tawazun Economic Council participated to discuss possibilities for defense and security technology cooperation.
In the culture and soft power sector, CJ introduced the global expansion of K-content, including the first Middle East KCON held in Abu Dhabi in 2016, and announced a step-by-step strategy to expand cooperation with the UAE not only in content but also in the distribution of K-food and beauty products. Samyang Foods unveiled plans to develop locally tailored products, expand experiential content, and establish a halal-certified supply chain in response to increasing demand for K-food in the UAE.
Meanwhile, KOTRA will host the "Korea-UAE Economic Cooperation Plaza" as a side event to the roundtable at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Abu Dhabi on November 20. A total of 23 Korean companies in the AI and energy sectors will participate, holding business consultations with local buyers. Through this event, KOTRA aims to translate the collaborative atmosphere fostered by the roundtable into tangible results.
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