KOTRA holds the 'Korea-Australia Economic Cooperation Plaza' in Sydney to support the implementation of APEC agreements
Around 200 participants, including 80 companies from both countries, discuss B2B cooperation in the mineral, energy, and consumer goods sectors
In addition to a forum and B2B export consultations, a showcase of products entering the National Museum of Australia provided

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA, President Kang Kyung-sung) hosted the 'Korea-Australia Economic Cooperation Plaza' on December 9 (local time) in Sydney, Australia. The event aims to support the implementation of APEC summit agreements and enhance Korea-Australia cooperation centered around economic security.

Australia, a key economic partner that upgraded its relationship with Korea to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ in 2021, possesses abundant strategic resources like lithium and nickel, as well as strong demand for energy transition. There is also active cooperation in defense and infrastructure projects.

(*Defense: Hanwha Aerospace's K9 self-propelled howitzer (ordered in 2021) and Redback IFV (ordered in 2023) are being locally produced in Australia. Infrastructure: Hyundai Rotem participates in Australia’s transportation infrastructure modernization projects, producing electric trains (ordered in 2020) locally.)

During the Gyeongju APEC summit, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals, clean energy, defense, and trade-investment sectors. At the same time, KOTRA signed a memorandum of understanding with Austrade, Australia's trade and investment agency, to strengthen economic security and trade-investment cooperation.

The Economic Cooperation Plaza was composed of three main elements: the Economic Cooperation Forum, Strategic Industry Business Consultations, and a Consumer Goods Showcase. During the forum, Austrade presented ‘Australia-Korea Cooperation Plans in Critical Minerals and Energy.’ Investment projects from New South Wales, where Sydney is located, and cooperation cases between POSCO International and Hanwha Energy were also introduced.

Additionally, products from 11 Korean companies (including museum goods) to be showcased at the National Museum of Australia were displayed at the event. From December 12 to May next year, the museum in Canberra will host an exhibition titled 'Hallyu! The Korean Wave.' In conjunction with this, KOTRA signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Museum of Australia on December 9 and will actively promote and expand the export of K-consumer goods.

KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung stated, "In the era of economic security, Australia’s value as a strategic cooperation partner is increasing. Taking the Gyeongju APEC summit as an opportunity, we will do our best to expand our economic cooperation fields from existing areas like minerals, defense, and infrastructure to include clean energy and consumer goods."



Source : KOTRA (2025.12.11.)