July 8, 2011
Press Release
Ministry of Knowledge Economy
Korea and Gabon Take First Step Toward Energy Partnership
Officials from Gabon visited Seoul last week to discuss energy partnerships with their Korean counterparts. The first meeting of the Korea-Gabon Joint Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources Cooperation was a successful first step toward collaboration on oil and mineral development projects and the establishment of energy infrastructure in Gabon.
Gabon plans to found a state-owned oil company, and Korea can provide useful information for this endeavor. Training programs and joint technology development were among the topics raised at the meeting.
Furthermore, Korean companies have expressed a keen interest in joint projects involving mineral resources and rare metals and the establishment of a new refinery in Gabon. The Korean delegates requested support for Korean businesses in Gabon so that the two countries can make the most of these opportunities.
Both sides expressed the desire to widen the scope of bilateral cooperation to include green growth and free economic zones.
Ahead of the meeting, Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung met with Minister of Mining, Oil and Hydrocarbons Alexandre Barro Chambrier.
* Released by the Emerging Economies Cooperation Division
