Kim Dong-yeon to start U.S. schedule with exchange and cooperation discussion with Bank of America Governor

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who visited the U.S. on the 16th (local time) to strengthen international exchange and cooperation, began his visit to the U.S. with a meeting with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) president Ilang Gowdfeng.

Based in Washington, DC, IDB was established in 1959 for economic and social development in South America and the Caribbean, with 48 countries (26 regional and 22 regional).

Our country is participating as one of 22 foreign countries.

The main projects include strengthening cooperation to expand trade between member countries and harmonize development policies, promoting investment in public and private capital for development purposes, supplementing investment activities in the private sector that are difficult to raise funds, and managing available resources through loans and payment guarantees.

Prior to the meeting, Governor Kim led the mood by mentioning a T-shirt with the signature of soccer emperor Pele on the wall of the conference hall, considering that Gov. Gowood Feing served as governor of the Brazilian Central Bank as a Brazilian national, and Gov. Gowood Feing responded, "It's a very historical gift that Pele left after visiting IDB and giving a lecture."

Governor Gowdping then expressed his favor for Korea, saying, "I went to the Korea-Latin America Biz Summit held in Korea last year," and Governor Kim said, "I heard you went to Naver last year, and Naver is right in Gyeonggi-do." Gyeonggi-do Province is the largest local government in Korea and is the center of all economies and industries," he said in earnest in sales diplomacy.

In particular, Gov. Kim came up with a triangular economic cooperation plan linking Gyeonggi-do, IDB, and Latin America, and Gov. Gowd Ping also actively responded.

Governor Kim said, "I heard that 'digital economy' and 'climate technology' are among IDB's areas of interest, and Gyeonggi Province is the center of various industries such as semiconductors, bio, mobility, AI and climate technology. I hope that cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and IDB will be further strengthened today, especially in the digital economy and climate technology fields."

"Digital transformation is taking place rapidly in the IDB region and Latin America, and it is an important area that we are paying attention to, especially in the field of climate response," Gov. Goh Wood-ping said. "Cooperation with Korea is very important, and IDB values communication and cooperation with local governments."

The two immediately designated a working-level conversation channel, and Governor Kim said, "Suwon, where the official residence is located, is a beautiful city in harmony with tradition and modernity, and I want to serve dinner at the official residence," and Gov. Goh Wood-fai said, "I love Korean food."

Governor Kim's visit to the U.S. is the third since his inauguration after April 2023 and May this year, and during this visit (15th-21st), he will visit eastern U.S. states such as Virginia and New York to strengthen international exchange and cooperation, support 22 startups in the province's overseas expansion, and attract investment from global companies.