發布日期:2023-01-25 21:31:44
From left, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun.
By Kim Hyun-bin
Heads of major domestic companies will accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol on his upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year as they seek to find new business opportunities in the oil-rich nation, according to industry officials Wednesday.
The top businessmen include Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. Attention is focused on what investments will be made in the Middle Eastern country.
The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) announced a list of 100 companies participating in the UAE economic delegation, which is the first of its kind since Yoon took office. The delegation includes 24 large companies, 69 small and medium-sized companies and seven economic organizations and associations.
SK Chairman Chey will also represent the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on the trip. Also joining the delegation are Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, Korea International Trade Association (KITA) Chairman Koo Ja-yeol and Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses Chairman Kim Ki-moon.
The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), which was excluded from the list of economic delegations during the Moon Jae-in administration, will not take part this time either.
Lee Jae-yong, Chung Euisun, HD Hyundai President Jung Ki-sun and Hyosung Corp. Chairman Cho Hyun-joon were on the list of figures accompanying the president.
Samsung's Lee, who visited the UAE last month for his first overseas meetings as chairman, will return as part of the economic delegation. He is expected to focus on expanding business opportunities between Samsung and the UAE, such as construction, energy and ICT, and also visit the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant constructed by Hyundai E&C and Samsung C&T.
The UAE is constructing a smart city called Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, investing $18 billion including in ICT fields such as 5G and semiconductors.
The Samsung chairman has built up a friendship with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. When he visited Korea in early 2019, Lee personally guided him on a visit to the semiconductor production line of Samsung Electronics' Hwaseong plant.
Chung Euisun is strengthening Hyundai Motor's presence in the Middle East market and is also expected to seek additional business opportunities in the region through the visit.
The HD Hyundai president, who has had close relationships with the UAE in plants and shipbuilding, will participate for the first time in the economic delegation.
The delegation also includes GS Energy President Huh Yong-soo and Ssangyong E&C CEO Kim Seok-joon, who have been actively developing business ties in the Middle East.
Heads of major groups such as the chairmen of Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and SK Group will also follow President Yoon to the World Economic Forum, which will be held in Davos, Switzerland, following their visit to the UAE.