Some 700 businessmen from Korea and ASEAN nations discussed ways to overcome the worldwide economic crisis and seek mutual prosperity in the region. They met at the ASEAN-Korea CEO Summit held at the International Conventional Center (ICC) in Seoguipo, Jeju on May 31.
The CEO summit, which will continue until June 1, is a prelude to the Korea-ASEAN Jeju Summit to be held on the island for the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a Dialogue Relationship between Korea and ASEAN. The summit was also attended by President Lee Myung-bak and leaders of ASEAN nations such as Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Participants of the first-day CEO summit, the first of its kind, exchanged views on various economic issues under the theme "Change, Challenge, and Collaboration for Asia's Prosperity." Some participants suggested ways to expand trade and investment by combining the leadership of Korea, which is cutting a conspicuous figure in the IT industry, and the resources in ASEAN countries.
In a keynote speech, President Lee set forth Trade and Investment, Cultural Tourism, and Green Growth as three targets of collaboration between Korea and ASEAN. He said: "An era of co-prosperity between Korea and ASEAN, in which businessmen are playing a leading role, will arrive."
Miguel B. Varela, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that if the leadership of Korea, which is standing out in the IT industry, is combined with the personnel resources of his country, it will gain the momentum needed to lead the economy in the era of the Pacific. His speech was followed by addresses from Vincent Cheng, chairman of HSBC Asia; Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of ASEAN; Nguyen Tan Dung, prime minister of Vietnam; and Hun Sen, prime minister of Cambodia.
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will invite businessmen from the ASEAN region to brief them on the investment environment of Korea and the island province of Jeju at the ICC on June 1. Meanwhile, Knowledge Economy Minister Lee Youn-Ho said in a press conference held at the ICC that afternoon that Korea and ASEAN nations will expand joint energy development.
