Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Chang-yang met with Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen on December 20 at K-SURE in Seoul to discuss economic cooperation, and requested support for World Expo 2030 Busan.

Minister Lee explained the Korean government’s firm aspirations to host the World Expo in Busan and asked for Ghana’s support. Minister Kyerematen responded that Korea’s request will be considered positively.

The bilateral talks were a build-up on the cooperation momentum that gained traction on the occasion of the Korea-Ghana summit meetings, including Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s recent visit to Ghana.

As Ghana is the economic hub and member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), these talks aim to kick the economic cooperation into high gear across all areas, including farming, manufacturing and nuclear energy.

Minister Lee emphasized the fact that both countries’ mutually complementary trade structures allow for strong potential in manufacturing and farming, and encouraged Ghana to make policy moves to improve the investment environment to draw more Korean companies into Ghana. He said he hoped to see the recently established Korean car assembly plant contribute to expanding the manufacturing base in Ghana.

To Minister Kyerematen’s request for Korea’s interest and participation in Ghana’s nuclear power plant project and its commercial operation goal by 2030, Minister Lee referred to Korea’s robust supply chain and rich experience in nuclear power plant operation. He also mentioned Korea’s ability to achieve project delivery on time and within budget, and emphasized that Korea will be the optimal nuclear energy partner, and that he looks forward to seeing Korean companies participate in Ghana’s nuclear reactor project.