Celebration of Commerce Day

PM Kim presents medals in recognition of contribution to growth of commerce with development of technologies and goods

(Clockwise) Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik pins a medal on one of the winners
of medals for their contributions to the development of commerce in Korea at
the 38th Commerce Day ceremony held on March 16 at Coex in Seoul.; Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik gives his speech at the Commerce Day ceremony held
on March 16 at Coex in Seoul.; President Sohn Kyung-sik of Korea Chamber
of Commerce and Industry delivers his speech at the Commerce Day ceremony
held on March 16 at Coex in Seoul.

The 38th Commerce Day celebration held March 16 at COEX in southern Seoul was highlighted by the presentation of medals to those who made outstanding contributions to the growth of Korea's industry in the presence of some 1,000 participants led by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, Minister Choi Joong-kyung of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) and heads of economic organizations including Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others.
Winning the Industrial Merit Gold Tower medals included President Lee Man-woo of Korea BASF Co. and President Lee Joo-hong of Aekyung Chemical Co. The citation for BASF's Lee said he has made a huge contribution to the Korean economy by continuously working to attract foreign investment in Korea and by developing new materials and technologies to produce environmentally friendly and highly effective products to boost the competitive edge of Korean cars over its rivals around the world, leading the way for the further growth of Korean industries. They were among some 150 businesspeople at the ceremony who won medals and citations from the government for their contributions to the growth of commerce in Korea.
The citation for President Lee of Aekyung Chemical said he made a great contribution to the development of Korea's display industry by developing PDP (polyisocyanate) synthetic resin for the first time in Korea and second in the world, thus localizing the product and leading the company to develop further with the production of the PDP resin, although it has been producing only the synthetic resin for paints.
Receiving the Silver Tower medal was President Lee Jae-sul of Ahn Jin Accounting Co. for providing consultations on attracting foreign direct investments to Korea and Korean firms' investments overseas to help their globalization. He was also given credit for advising the government on various tax matters and green growth policies.
Chairman Sohn said in his congratulatory speech at the ceremony that the economy grew 6.1 percent last year despite the sluggish export market and rising raw materials prices and that credit should go to people who worked at the forefront of the industry and the factory workers for their hard work.
Sohn continued, "This year, too, businesses should do their best to increase investments to explore new markets and create jobs. Workers in particular should make efforts to boost their productivity and participate in creating a rational labor-management culture, requesting the government to establish an environment conducive to intensive business activities that encourages businesspeople." nw

- Photo by courtesy of korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry