▲ oint Declaration on Carbon Neutrality with West Java Province, Indonesia

▲ Indonesian Business Forum in Jakarta

▲ Chungnam Overseas Market Development Delegation Export Consultation in Indonesia

▲ Australia UNSW-KAIST Innovation Startup Showcase and MOU Signing

▲ Australia Education Sector Roundtable

▲ Inspection of South Australia Hydrogen Production Facility

▲ Meeting with Premier of South Australia

▲ Australia Export Consultation

Chungcheongnam-do Governor Kim Tae-heum returned home on June 1, concluding his business trip to Indonesia and Australia, which focused on key areas such as pioneering overseas markets, strengthening international cooperation on carbon neutrality, and expanding exchanges and partnerships.

During this trip, Governor Kim first broadened the export channels for K-products manufactured by small and medium-sized enterprises in the province.

In conjunction with Governor Kim's trip, the province organized the Chungnam Overseas Market Development Delegation, holding successive export consultations in Indonesia on the 27th and in Australia on the 30th.

Twenty-six companies participated in these consultations, including 14 food companies such as seaweed producers, and 12 consumer and industrial goods manufacturers, including industrial portable air conditioners.

Each company conducted 378 consultations totaling $79.78 million with local buyers through one-on-one meetings at the export consultations.

This led to the signing of 27 export Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) valued at $18 million.

Regarding Indonesia, the province expects that, based on the foothold established by Governor Kim, even greater export opportunities can be secured in the future. This is due to Indonesia being the largest consumer market in Southeast Asia, showing high growth rates based on its fourth-largest population globally (over 280 million), a working-age population (15-64 years) exceeding 70%, and abundant natural resources. Furthermore, the strong preference for the Korean Wave (Hallyu) there is a significant factor.

The popularity of Hallyu in Indonesia was evident as both West Java Governor Deddy Mulyadi and Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung allocated considerable time at the beginning of their greetings to mention Korean dramas and music, allowing its immense popularity to be truly felt.

Governor Pramono Anung even introduced himself as a K-pop fan, listening to songs by BTS and BLACKPINK while driving his car.

During this trip, Governor Kim also significantly strengthened his activities as the Asia-Pacific regional chairperson of the Under2 Coalition and laid the groundwork for exchange and cooperation aimed at vitalizing the hydrogen economy.

On the 26th, Governor Kim and West Java Province, considered the 'economic capital' of Indonesia and a key Southeast Asian nation, adopted a 'Joint Declaration for Exchange and Carbon Neutrality Realization.'

The province and West Java, which share a friendly exchange relationship, pledged to strengthen mutual exchange and cooperation based on this declaration. They also committed to recognizing carbon neutrality as a shared challenge and to sharing related policies and experiences.

During his visit to South Australia, a sister state for 26 years since 1999, Governor Kim met with Premier Peter Malinauskas on the 29th. They discussed and agreed to promote cooperation by sharing their respective regions' carbon neutrality policies.

South Australia, a leader in renewable energy generation like solar and wind power, plans to increase its renewable energy generation ratio from over 75% to 100% by 2027.

In South Australia, Governor Kim also dedicated time to exploring ways to build and vitalize the hydrogen ecosystem, one of the core new renewable energy sources for carbon neutrality, and how to integrate it into Chungnam.

Before meeting Premier Peter Malinauskas, Governor Kim visited the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide, South Australia, where he held a renewable energy roundtable and inspected the South Australian Hydrogen Park.

As his first official engagement in Australia on the 28th, Governor Kim met with Governor Frances Adamson. They discussed carbon neutrality, fostering the new renewable energy industry, vitalizing the hydrogen ecosystem, and expanding educational cooperation, including for international students. Governor Kim also requested South Australia's participation in next year's Taean International Horticulture Healing Expo and received a positive response.

Another key achievement of the trip was opening new avenues for exchange and cooperation with the capital of Indonesia and the "economic capital" of Australia.

On the 27th, Governor Kim visited the Jakarta Special Capital Region office and signed a "Letter of Intent on Establishing Sister City Cooperation" with Governor Pramono Anung.

Jakarta is the center of Indonesia's economy, commerce, and administration, with a high concentration of major national institutions and corporate headquarters, accounting for 17% of Indonesia's GDP.

Following this exchange of intent, Chungnam and Jakarta will pursue exchange and cooperation across various sectors, including policy and administration, culture, economy and industry, exhibitions and promotional events, and education and youth.

With a formal exchange and cooperation relationship established with the capital of Indonesia, a key ASEAN nation, Chungnam expects significant benefits for its businesses in terms of local market entry, export promotion, and expanded penetration into various Southeast Asian countries.

During the signing ceremony, Governor Pramono Anung particularly drew attention by telling Governor Kim that while Tokyo and Beijing had expressed interest in exchanges, he chose Chungnam as the first local government for cooperation during his term.

Governor Kim also met with Anoulack Chanthivong, the Minister for Industry and Trade of New South Wales (NSW), which includes Sydney, Australia's economic hub, at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Chancellor's Office on the 30th.

During this meeting, Governor Kim and Minister Chanthivong identified areas of mutual interest and formed a consensus on pursuing future exchanges and cooperation.

The first step in exchange and cooperation with NSW was prompted by an academic and corporate exchange MOU between KAIST, which is establishing and operating a Mobility Research Institute in Chungnam's Naepo New City, and UNSW, Australia's top engineering university.

Under this agreement, the two universities, with the 'confirmation' of Chungnam Province and NSW, agreed to promote mutual cooperation in academic research and corporate exchange.

Specific cooperation details include: △Startup exchange programs and support cooperation to enhance academic excellence and promote practical innovation through entrepreneurship △Promotion of industry-academia cooperation and joint research and development focused on mobility and biotech fields △Operation of joint programs for the advancement of education and lifelong learning △Promotion of joint policy forums and initiatives.

The foundation for expanding educational exchanges and cooperation with Australian universities was also laid through a roundtable discussion held at Study Adelaide in South Australia on the 29th.

A provincial official commented, "In a situation where global economic recession continues and volatility is expanding, expanding exports of Chungnam products is crucial for revitalizing the regional economy, along with attracting domestic and foreign corporate investment. In that regard, Governor Kim's recent trip focused on expanding and pioneering overseas markets, and we were able to confirm future possibilities."

The official also stated, "In the case of carbon neutrality international cooperation, it had previously been a task mainly brought to international climate response meetings, but during this trip, it was put at the forefront of the agenda, drawing empathy and participation from the exchange local governments."

This official further added, "Establishing a full-fledged exchange and cooperation relationship with Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and a key Southeast Asian nation, and forming a consensus on exchange with a local government that leads Australia's economic capital, are also among the notable points of this tour."

Department in Charge: Investment & Trade Policy Officer, Investment & Trade Planning Team

Phone Number: 041-635-3351