KOTRA, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeongju-si hold ‘APEC Member Countries and Gyeongbuk Investment Forum’
Representatives from member countries and businesspeople discuss expanding cooperation at investment attraction and business matching sessions
Gyeongbuk-do and Gyeongju-si present investment opportunities in semiconductors and smart tourism… continuing APEC-linked events in October

With just a month before the APEC Summit, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju-si have drawn attention as venues for expanding global investment and economic cooperation.

On October 16, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), in collaboration with Gyeongsangbuk-do (Governor Lee Cheol-woo) and Gyeongju (Mayor Ju Nak-young), hosted the 'APEC Member Countries and Gyeongbuk Investment Forum,' with over 300 participants, including representatives from 13 APEC member countries and domestic and international businesspeople. The event shared investment opportunities and information in the high-tech industry, aiming to attract foreign investments to Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju-si, and expand mutual investment within the APEC region.

APEC member countries account for a significant portion of South Korea’s trade and investment. Nine out of the top ten trading partners are APEC members, and in 2024, 64% of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows came from APEC countries. Foreign investment plays a crucial role in driving regional economic growth, contributing to the development of specialized industries like high-tech and tourism, and creating jobs.

Gyeongsangbuk-do emphasizes the development of high-tech industries, such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, biotechnology, and future mobility, offering tax incentives and other benefits to foreign-invested companies in these fields. Gyeongju, the host city of the APEC Summit, leverages its cultural heritage and tourism resources to promote smart tourism, eco-friendly industrial parks, the development of materials and components industries, and the creation of a sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo of Gyeongsangbuk-do said, "Gyeongsangbuk-do is providing attractive opportunities for global investors, based on future growth engines like high-tech industries and eco-friendly energy. We will actively support Gyeongbuk’s rise as a key investment hub in the Asia-Pacific region through this forum."

KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung said, "This forum, held in conjunction with the APEC Summit, provided an excellent opportunity for member countries and companies to expand investment and economic cooperation. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with local governments to support foreign investment and the global expansion of our companies."

KOTRA plans to continue leveraging APEC's achievements and global economic cooperation opportunities, having already hosted the 'Korea-APEC Business Partnership' in late September. In late October, KOTRA will hold consecutive events, including ‘Export Boom-Up Korea Week’ and the ‘Invest KOREA Summit.’



Source : KOTRA (2025.10.17.)