As part of his working visit to South Korea, on April 26, Mr. Le Tien Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of Hai Phong’s Party Committee, and Head of the city’s National Assembly Delegation, met with Mr. Oh Sang Rok, President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), to strengthen collaboration in science, technology, and innovation. Accompanying him were Mr. Le Trung Kien, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hai Phong Party Committee and Head of the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority, as well as leaders from various city departments.
Mr. Oh Sang Rok highlighted that KIST, the first research institute funded by the South Korean government, is one of the world’s leading research organizations. KIST is pioneering carbon-free technologies by advancing clean energy systems and is focusing on developing human-friendly artificial intelligence and digital healthcare systems.
As part of its global strategy, KIST collaborates with leading research institutes worldwide and shares its model with partners through Official Development Assistance (ODA). Notably, KIST has supported Vietnam in building the Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.
President Oh expressed his appreciation for Hai Phong’s interest in fostering science, technology, and innovation, as demonstrated by this visit. He believes that KIST and Hai Phong can turn this goodwill into actionable agreements, technology transfers, and collaborative research programs, thereby deepening the already strong relationship between South Korea and Hai Phong.
During the meeting, Secretary Le Tien Chau underscored the importance of this visit, noting that Hai Phong values South Korea’s globally recognized achievements in science, innovation, and technology.
He also shared Hai Phong’s remarkable progress, emphasizing that the city has achieved nine consecutive years of GRDP growth nearly double the national average. In 2023, Hai Phong surpassed several key targets, including attracting over $3.5 billion in foreign direct investment, ranking second in Vietnam.
South Korean businesses and investors have played a significant role in this success. South Korea is the leading investor in Hai Phong, with 183 projects and total registered capital of $11.5 billion.
Hai Phong’s leadership prioritizes the development of science, technology, and innovation as a foundation for sustainable socio-economic growth. This includes modernizing state management, fostering innovation ecosystems, and strengthening global partnerships in these areas.
Looking ahead, Hai Phong hopes to collaborate with KIST in areas such as talent exchange, joint research, and technology transfer. The city also seeks to encourage business partnerships through collaborative models that connect research with industry and create opportunities for innovation.
Mr. Le Tien Chau proposed that KIST partner with Hai Phong University to promote research, technology development, faculty exchanges, and scholarships for lecturers and students. He also invited Mr. Oh Sang Rok to visit Hai Phong and participate in the city’s annual Red Flamboyant Flower Festival in 2024.
On this occasion, the Secretary presented a cooperation agreement between the Hai Phong People’s Committee and KIST, officially marking their commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited Seoul Bio Hub, a biotechnology startup center established by the Seoul city government. The hub supports biotech startups by helping them develop technologies, realize their business potential, and access global markets.
Seoul Bio Hub is also part of the city’s broader efforts to create a biotech cluster, bringing together research institutions, hospitals, venture capitalists, startups, and highly skilled biomedical experts to transform scientific ideas into viable business opportunities.
The Secretary expressed hope that Seoul Bio Hub would support Hai Phong in developing biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and healthcare exchange programs. This, he noted, would further strengthen the partnership between Hai Phong and South Korea.