Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea, Africa Cultivate Friendship

Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Kim Junggwan (fifth from left) stands with African partners at the third Korea-Africa Round Table Meeting on June 29 in Seoul. Ambassadors from 16 African countries and representatives from Korean companies with operations in Africaworkedcloselytoshareinformation. date2011-07-07

Minister Meets With Gabonese Counterpart

Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung shakes hands with Gabonese Minister of Mining, Oil and Hydrocarbons Alexandre Barro Chambrier on June 30 in Seoul.Thetwoministersdiscussedeconomicpartnerships. date2011-07-07

Energy Forum Reinforces Ties Between Korea, Indonesia

Vice Minister for Industrial Affairs and Global Industrial Cooperation Moon Jae-do traveled to Jakarta last week for the fourth Korea-Indonesia Energy Forum. The forum was an occasion to advance energy partnerships and explore new opportunities for cooperation. Vice Minister Moon pointed to energy and resources as a key sector in which stronger partnerships will significantly rev up the Indonesian economy. “Korea and Indonesia already have a very successful mineral resources and oil field partnership,” the Vice Minister said in his congratulatory speech. “Now it is time to build on what we have achieved, intensify ongoing cooperation, and strengthen our cooperative ties with future projects in mind.” Possible areas of cooperation include overseas oil and gas projects, the establishment of natural gas distribution networks, and the development of mines in Indonesia. Korea also wants to work with Indonesia to make its mining sector more eco-friendly and to increase the use of renewables, especially photovoltaic energy. Indonesia is one of Korea’s foremost energy partners, with ties that date back to 1979. After holding 22 consultations over nearly 30 years, in 2007 the two countries decided to establish an annual Energy Forum and engage in broader discussions. * Released by the Southeast Asia and Oceania Division date2011-07-07

Trade Figures for June

date2011-07-05

Trade Figures for First Half of 2011

Exports grew in most key areas. Outbound shipments of petroleum products, ships and automobiles posted strong year-on-year growth. Higher global oil prices boosted the average export price per barrel of petroleum products 38.6 percent. As the shipbuilding industry bounced back, it received new orders for high-value-added ships such as drillships and oil tankers and delivered those ships on schedule. From January 1 to June 20, exports to key trading partners increased.   Meanwhile, imports climbed 26.6 percent to $258 billion. The average value of all imports per day reached $1.92 billion. With imports of crude oil and coal jumping 46.8 percent and 46.4 percent from a year ago, respectively, inbound shipments of raw materials, which accounted for 63.1 percent of all imports, went up 35 percent. Imports of capital and consumer goods increased 12.7 percent and 31.6 percent, respectively.     date2011-07-04

Business Sentiment Improves in Second Quarter

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade released the Business Survey Index (BSI) for the second quarter, which showed improved sentiment among Korea’s manufacturers compared with the previous quarter. The index for the second quarter stood at 101, while the corresponding figure for the first quarter was 96. The BSI is intended to measure local manufacturers’ assessment of and prospects for business conditions in Korea. A total of 500 manufacturers responded to the quarterly online survey. An index reading above 100 indicates that manufacturers consider current business conditions better than conditions in the previous quarter. The BSI reading for sales and domestic demand were higher than the 100 baseline, while exports and ordinary profits came in at 99 and 91, respectively. The automobile and precision equipment sectors performed better than in the first quarter. In contrast, readings for the semiconductor and textile sectors fell below the 100 mark. Prospects for business conditions in the third quarter reached 111, meaning optimists outnumbered pessimists. Notably, with an index reading of 162, manufacturing companies had high expectations for the semiconductor sector. * Released by the Industrial Economic Policy Division date2011-06-30

Minister Greets Danish Climate Minister

Minister Greets Danish Climate Minister Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung shakes hands with Danish Minister for Climate and Energy Lykke Friis on June 20 in Seoul. The two officials discussed bilateral cooperation on green growth. date2011-06-23

Minister Speaks with Qatari Health Minister

Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung speaks with Qatari Minister of Health Abdulla Bin Khalid Al-Qahtani on June 21 in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. The two officials shared ideas on partnerships involving trade, investment and IT-enhanced healthcare. date2011-06-23

Korea Appointed Secretariat of International Smart Grid Action Network

For the next three years Korea will serve as Secretariat of the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN), a mechanism for multilateral collaboration involving 20 member countries. As interim Secretariat since November 2010, Korea took the lead in supporting ISGAN’s administrative processes and communications. Recently, representatives of member governments and the International Energy Agency gathered in Seoul to kick off the first official meeting. Italy was chosen as Chair, with the United States and Korea as Vice Chairs. The representatives also assessed ISGAN’s progress in four foundational projects: a global inventory of smart grid policies and activities; smart grid case studies; cost-benefit analyses and toolkits; and a synthesis of insights for decision makers. “Korea will take a central role in facilitating a dynamic exchange of information to ensure the achievement of the shared goal: to advance the development and deployment of smarter electric grids around the world,” Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Kim Junggwan said at a ceremony held to celebrate Korea’s new role. ISGAN was launched in July 2010 at the first Clean Energy Ministerial in Washington, D.C., and formally established under the IEA via an Implementing Agreement signed in April at the second Ministerial in Abu Dhabi. For further information, please see the press release dated April 21. * Released by the Smart Grid and Electricity Market Division date2011-06-23

Vice Minister Promotes Green Energy

Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Kim Junggwan speaks at the Global Green Energy Leaders’ Forum on June 14 in Seoul. The forum drew almost 500 participants, including dignitaries from Japan, the United States and Denmark. date2011-06-21