Major Korean artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor companies, including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group and Naver, laid the groundwork for expanded cooperation with Italy, Europe's manufacturing powerhouse, on the occasion of President Lee Jae-myung's state visit.
The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) said it co-hosted the "Korea-Italy Business Roundtable" with Confindustria, the General Confederation of Italian Industry, at the Westin Excelsior Hotel in Rome on Wednesday. Forty-two political and business figures from both countries attended to discuss cooperation in three major areas: strategic and advanced industries, energy and infrastructure, and bio and lifestyle.
Attendees included Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, LS Group Chairman Cha-eun Koo, Hyosung Group Chairman Hyun-joon Cho, Hyundai Motor President Sung Kim, LG Chem President Kim Dong-chun, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon, HD Construction Equipment President Moon Jae-young, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) President Kim Jong-chul, Samyang Foods Chairman Kim Jung-soo, Fashion Group Hyungji Chairman Choi Byung-oh, and FKI Chairman Ryu Jin. On the Italian side, Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, Fincantieri Chairman Biagio Mazzotta of the country's largest shipbuilder, and Giampiero Di Paolo, CEO of defense and aerospace company Thales Alenia Space Italia, also took part.
Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Naver and KAI discussed synergy plans in strategic and advanced industries such as semiconductors, AI and defense during the strategic and advanced industries session. In particular, contract opportunities are expected to expand in connection with Italy's drive to modernize its power transmission network infrastructure amid the surge in AI data centers. KAI agreed to jointly enter the global satellite export market with Thales by combining the two countries' satellite technologies. The two are also pursuing joint technology development to localize the power transmission system of the Surion, Korea's domestically developed utility helicopter.
In the energy and infrastructure session, LS announced a plan to participate in Europe's energy transition centered on its Italian R&D center. The company is expanding its entry into the power infrastructure market, having recently won an overhead transmission line project worth 80 million euros. Regarding the super depreciation system, HD Construction Equipment said, "We express our gratitude that the efforts of both governments have improved the conditions for Korean machinery and equipment to enter the local market," and pledged to contribute to the industrial development of both countries.
In the final session, bio startup Cureverse shared its technology export achievement worth $360 million with Italian pharmaceutical company Angelini Pharma. The two companies plan to jointly develop new drugs to treat intractable brain diseases.
Chairman Ryu said, "Italy is the country of Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science, and a powerhouse in original technology," adding, "There is great potential for synergy with Korea, which has advanced manufacturing capabilities." He said, "Just as all roads led to Rome, I hope that the path pioneered together by the business communities of both countries through this meeting will extend to the future and the global market."
