The WA-Korea Business Forum took place in Perth on 4th and 5th May 2023. It was a well-attended event focusing on opportunities and challenges for Western Australian and Korean businesses, specifically in critical minerals, energy, defence and security.
The lead up to the forum has offered various opportunities to engage with Korean and Australian businesses, a highlight being the VIP dinner hosted by Deputy Premier Roger Cook, with a real live koala feeding at home at the Ritz-Carlton and a site visit to BP Kwinana to see their transition from oil refinery to a hydrogen and biofuels facility.
Friday morning began with a breakfast briefing from Hon. Bill Johnston MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Corrective Services; and Industrial Relations, WA and a discussion, facilitated by Clare Pope, AKBC Treasurer and Director; Partner, PwC between Minister Johnston and Shannon O’Rourke, CEO, FBICRC and Andrew (Changwoo) Lee, WA Representative, LG Energy Solution Australia.
Hon. Simon Crean, Chair, AKBC opened the WA-Korea Business Forum and welcomed our keynote speakers Hon. Mark McGowan MLA, Premier of Western Australia, His Excellency Wan – joong Kim Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Commonwealth of Australia and Meg O’Neill CEO and Managing Director, Woodside. It was fantastic to see such robust discussion and interaction with our panel on critical minerals and energy featuring Ramy Lotfy, Chief Commercial Officer, CWP Global, Ian Hansen, Managing Director, Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers and Do-hyun Goh, Head of Steel related Hydrogen Business, Hydrogen Business office, Green Materials & Energy Business Team, POSCO Holdings, facilitated by Nicole Fasana, Investment and Trade Commissioner – North East Asia, Government of Western Australia. Rounding out the event was an in-depth look at defence and security in the Indo-Pacific region with Bill Paterson PSM, AKBC Director, AKBC Defence and Space Sub-committee Chair, Richard Cho, Managing Director, Hanwha Defense Australia, and Kristian Constantinides, Chair, Australian Industry Defence Network; GM for Airflite.
Sponsors
Thank you to the following event sponsors.
