![[Africa Forum] AGA dean highlights the significance of Korea-Africa relations in era of disruption](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F05%2F22%2Fnews-p.v1.20250522.0744fd8a8be04402a87c47a67a05bacd_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[Africa Forum] AGA dean highlights the significance of Korea-Africa relations in era of disruption
The Korea-Africa partnership is about more than an opportunity to explore shared dreams in a changing global environment, according to Moroccan Ambassador Chafik Rachadi, who serves as the dean of the African Group of Ambassadors.
'The Africa and Korea partnership of the 21st century speaks the language of collaboration, equity and long-term resilience. In this era of global disruption, fostering these robust and inclusive partnerships goes beyond economic and political cooperation,' said Rachadi in his opening remarks at the Africa Day 2025 Korea-Africa Business Forum on Wednesday.
The forum at Grand Hyatt Seoul was co-hosted by Herald Media Group, the African Group of Ambassadors and the Korea-Africa Foundation.
Though the cooperation between the two has yet to reach its full potential, the Moroccan ambassador believes that the next decade presents a chance to accomplish a dynamic framework grounded in mutual interest and strategic collaboration.
'Korea's leadership in innovation, digital technology, clean energy and smart infrastructure can meet Africa's growing demand for transformation and inclusive growth. At the same time, Africa's youthful demographics, natural resources and expanding markets represent unparalleled opportunities,' Rachadi said.
'The time has come to unlock the full potential of the Africa-Korea partnership,' he added.
While explaining how the African continent has immeasurable potential, as well as geopolitical and economic significance across the globe, the AGA dean underlined the partnership with Korea as a sign of trust, mutual respect and a shared vision for an inclusive future.
'Let us seize this moment to chart a more ambitious course, grounded in mutual benefit, shared prosperity and a deep commitment to Africa's transformative potential,' he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Korea Herald
7 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Outgoing Indian envoy, Herald CEO discuss India-Korea ties
Outgoing Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar and Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young underscored deepening India-Korea ties in a courtesy meeting on Wednesday. They discussed bilateral dimensions and mutual perceptions amid global economic uncertainties, with Kumar praising the Herald Media Group's commercial forums and events for connecting Korean and Indian businesses. 'I'll leave a note for my successor,' Kumar said, referring to Herald Media Group events and content such as the Hello India series, which helped bridge the information gap between Korea, India and the wider world. He cited HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering's memorandum of understanding with India's largest state-owned shipbuilder, Cochin Shipyard Limited, for long-term cooperation in the shipbuilding value chain. "In green hydrogen, we have known four companies, four Indian companies, which are accredited by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy," Kumar added. Choi urged deeper strategic cooperation and stronger economic diplomacy between India and Korea to ensure future economic security, while thanking Kumar for his efforts in boosting ties and hosting the India-Korea Business Partnership Forum in November 2024. 'India and Korea together can respond to global challenges more effectively,' said Choi, suggesting ways to 'strengthen networks' for strategic goals through stronger economic diplomacy. Kumar will return to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi after completing his tenure in South Korea this month. sanjaykumar@


Korea Herald
11 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Hana Bank, Vietnam's BIDV join forces on cross-border QR payment ecosystem
Leading Korean lender Hana Bank signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's largest state-owned commercial bank to expand cross-border QR code payment and settlement services, in the latest move to strengthen digital finance ties between the two countries. The agreement was signed Tuesday during the Korea–Vietnam Business Forum in Seoul, an event attended by government officials and more than 500 business leaders from both nations. Executives of the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, or BIDV, were part of an economic delegation accompanying the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, on his official visit to Korea. Under the deal, the two lenders will collaborate to enable individuals and companies in both countries to use QR-based payment systems and related global settlement services. The aim is to make transactions more convenient, secure and cost-effective, especially for small merchants, tourists and cross-border traders, Hana said in a statement. 'This partnership combines Korea's advanced digital finance technology with Vietnam's extensive payment network,' Hana Bank CEO Lee Ho-seong said. 'We will work to establish a cross-border QR payment ecosystem that contributes to economic growth in both countries.' Cross-border payment services have become a focus for Korean financial institutions, which are seeking to serve the growing number of Korean tourists, expatriates and businesses operating in Vietnam. Hana and BIDV have an existing strategic relationship dating back to 2019, when the Korean lender purchased a 15 percent stake in the Vietnamese bank. Through its fintech arm, GLN International, Hana has rolled out several joint services with BIDV. In 2022, the two banks launched a QR-code-based cash withdrawal feature that lets users of Hana's 'Hana One Q' mobile app withdraw money from about 2,100 BIDV ATMs in Vietnam without using a physical card.


Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
FPT Corporation Strengthens Vietnam-Korea Partnerships in Semiconductors and High-Quality Workforce Training
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Within the framework of the Vietnam–Korea Economic Forum 2025, and in the presence of Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Kim Min-seok and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, global IT services and technology company FPT signed strategic agreements with ABOV Semiconductor and Gachon University. These partnerships aim to advance semiconductor technology development and foster high-quality human resource training between the two nations. Co-developing Next-Generation Chips with ABOV Semiconductor FPT's agreement with ABOV Semiconductor – a leading designer and manufacturer of microcontrollers, advanced nonvolatile memory and various semiconductor solutions – focuses on joint research, design, and development of next-generation chips, while expanding the market and application of semiconductor products in South Korea. The collaboration aims to cooperate in using chips designed by FPT, particularly in South Korean market. They will also collaborate in launching the project regarding collaborative research, design and development of next generation Chips to build into a mutual complementary relationship between their respective technical capabilities and to develop competitive products. As part of the partnership, the Parties will discuss the details and frameworks of FPT's semiconductor engineering service on a case-by-case basis. As part of its strategy, FPT aims to build a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, from skilled talent to advanced services such as custom IC design, advanced packaging, and semiconductor testing. High-Tech Human Resource Training with Gachon University In education, FPT University and Gachon University signed an agreement to promote student exchange and education at both undergraduate and graduate levels, organize joint academic programs, facilitate faculty and scholar exchanges, and share academic information, materials, and publications, along with other academic activities mutually agreed upon by the two universities. FPT University is a pioneer in Vietnam in training IT professionals in AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, and semiconductor IC design, with programs aligned to industry needs and international standards. Enhancing Vietnam–Korea Technology Cooperation Operating in South Korea since 2016, FPT has nearly 2,000 employees working locally and remotely from Vietnam, serving major clients including LG Electronics, LG CNS, Shinhan Bank, Daegu Bank, and Shinsegae I&C. Recognized in Gartner's Top 200 technology companies in South Korea (2020–2021), FPT Corporation is the leading Vietnamese enterprise in revenue and workforce scale in this competitive market. About FPT FPT Corporation (FPT) is a globally leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam and operates in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. Over more than three decades, FPT has consistently delivered impactful solutions to millions of individuals and tens of thousands of organizations worldwide. Committed to elevating Vietnam's position on the global tech map and delivering world-class AI-enabled solutions for global enterprises, the Corporation focuses on three critical transformations: Digital Transformation, Intelligence Transformation, and Green Transformation. In the first half of 2025, FPT recorded revenue of approximately USD 1.29 billion and profit before tax of around USD 243 million, representing year-on-year growth of 11.4% and 18.5%, respectively. For more information about FPT's global IT services, please visit