At the Korea-Italy Business Roundtable held Friday on the occasion of President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to Italy, business leaders from both countries competitively presented cooperation plans spanning artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, aerospace, energy, bio and consumer goods. They demonstrated a willingness to elevate cooperation beyond simple trade expansion into a strategic partnership that builds a future industrial ecosystem together.
Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Policy Office, said at a briefing at the Rome Press Center that day that "Korea and Italy agreed that their cooperative relationship needs to make a new-level leap in the era of the AI revolution and supply chain realignment." He explained, "In particular, we explored new cooperation possibilities in advanced and cutting-edge industries such as aerospace, AI and semiconductors; energy and infrastructure such as eco-friendly fuels; and promising future consumer goods sectors including bio, beauty and food."
According to Kim, Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee said, "Italy is a special country for Samsung," and noted, "The Milan Furniture Fair has become an important source of inspiration for Samsung's design innovation." Citing in particular that Samsung's Chief Design Officer (CDO) is of Italian origin, Lee stressed, "If Italy, a science and technology powerhouse, joins forces with Korea, which leads technological innovation, cooperation can expand across various advanced industrial fields."
Sung Kim, president of Hyundai Motor, recalled that cooperation between the two countries began with design collaboration on the "Pony," Korea's first independent model, and said, "In the era of future mobility and electrification, the cooperative relationship is evolving to a new stage." Naver expressed sympathy for Italy's efforts to build an independent AI ecosystem and presented a plan to contribute to the development of Italy's digital industry using AI and digital platform technologies.
Kim Jong-chul, president of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), said, "We have received much help from Italy, an aerospace powerhouse," and described the experience of jointly conducting a reconnaissance satellite development project with Italian company TASI and others. KAI announced plans to expand joint research and development and joint entry into global markets going forward.
The willingness to cooperate continued in the power and energy sector. LS introduced cases of acquiring an Italian company and establishing an R&D center in Milan, saying, "We will create tangible results in the power infrastructure field with Italy, the Mediterranean hub connecting Europe and North Africa." Hyosung also expressed its intention to expand cooperation in eco-friendly materials and energy infrastructure.
LG Chem emphasized the importance of securing eco-friendly raw materials amid the global supply chain realignment and said it is expanding cooperation in bio-naphtha and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through a joint venture with Italian energy company Eni. The two companies shared the goal of creating a success story representing eco-friendly energy transition.
Cooperation possibilities were also presented in the consumer goods sector. Kim Jung-soo, chairman of Samyang Foods, said, "Italy, the home of pasta, and Korea's ramen industry can undertake joint research and development to improve taste and quality." Cosmax introduced a plan to secure a European production base through the acquisition of a local company, expressing hope for expanded cooperation between K-Beauty and Italy's cosmetics industry. Celltrion presented a blueprint to develop Italy into a key bio partner within Europe.
Curebus, the only startup participant, introduced its achievements in developing treatments for dementia and Parkinson's disease, explaining that research that began with domestic technology led to a technology export worth 360 million dollars to Italy's Angelini Pharma.
Italian companies also responded actively. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said, "Korea is a market that constantly provides inspiration and a country that feels like home," and expressed his hope to conduct joint research and development with Korean companies in the fields of electrification and digitalization. Shipbuilding and defense company Fincantieri expressed its intention to expand cooperation in cruise ships, warships, next-generation naval vessels and eco-friendly ships, while Kiko Milano said it hopes to collaborate with Korean companies based on its K-Beauty success experience.
Meanwhile, the Italian side was attended by high-level government officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, as well as major business leaders driving the industrial ecosystem, including Giorgio Marsiaj, vice president of the Italian business federation.
