REMARKS OF H.E. CHO JUNE-HYUCK
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO CAMEROON
ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOREA-CAMEROON BUSINESS AND
ENERGY COOPERATION FORUM
YAOUNDE HILTON HOTEL DECEMBER 8, 2011
H.E. the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Technological Development of the Republic of Cameroon;
Distinguished representatives of the Ministries of the Republic of Cameroon;
Dear Business Community from both Cameroon and Korea;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I am particularly delighted to take the floor here this morning on the occasion of the Cameroon-Korea Business and Energy Cooperation Forum, which is a crowning event of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Korea and Cameroon. It is always an honour to address gatherings of distinction like this one.
From the outset, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of Cameroon, for giving us the opportunity to organize this meeting. I also wish to thank in advance all speakers and participants, some of whom have come a long way to take part in this gathering.
I am moved to see many participants, especially businesspeople, taking part in this Forum. This demonstrates the keen interest of the private sector to cooperate with each other and with the Government for the benefit of all.
The forum we are holding this morning marks a new era of cooperation between two countries in the aftermath of important events: the re- election of His Excellency Paul Biya, Head of State of the Republic of Cameroon and the re-opening of the Korea Business Center (KBC) of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Douala last month. It will be a good occasion to exchange views and ideas on investment opportunities and to develop business partnerships that will be fruitful for our two countries.
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs
Il est mondialement reconnu que le développement d’aujourd’hui et du future repose sur l’énergie et des infrastructures imposantes.
Aujourd’hui, le Cameroun fait face à un déficit d’énergie et d’infrastructure sans pareil qui compromet sa croissance aussi bien économique, social que culturelle.
L’objectif principal de ce forum est donc l’identification des problèmes majeurs auquel le Cameroun est confronté dans les domaines de l’énergie, des voies ferrées et maritime et de l’industrie en générale afin de cibler des possibles secteurs clés d’investissement dans le cadre de la coopération bilatérale entre le Cameroun de la Corée.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
So far, our cooperation has been more or less focused on the preparatory stage such as feasibility studies or master plans. Now is the time to go to the next level to materialize our ideas and aspirations for Cameroon and Korea. Let me give an example. Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO) Group is now considering sizable investment in a diverse range of business opportunities in Cameroon. It plans to construct a steel processing plant and a hydropower to operate the plant. In fact, POSCO can provide what Cameroon needs. It can help Cameroon develop its natural resources in order to enhance their value-added and sustainably spur its economic growth.
In this way, Korea is committed to provide accumulated skills and know-how through various Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) projects and create jobs by recruiting local workers. Korea is not pursuing a minor commercial interest but believes that with Cameroon she can take on a win-win cooperation, especially in the energy and infrastructural sectors, leading to mutual prosperity. I am convinced that more investment opportunities will be highlighted during this forum.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
We hope that this important forum will provide a springboard for the government and the private sector to come up with policy recommendations for the sustainable development and promotion of investment in the energy and infrastructural sectors. I wish that you all take an active part in these discussions, in order to orient results towards this goal. It is therefore my singular honour and privilege to declare this Business Forum officially open.
Thank you for your kind attention!!!
