New Zealand Tech Roadshow 2021 fosters partnerships between New Zealand and Korean technology companies
(Left to right) Jeong Jae-wook, Head of Invest Seoul Center; Dr. Tony Garrett, Chairman of The Kiwi Chamber; and Stephen Blair, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Korea at the New Zealand-Korea Tech Roadshow 2021
The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea (The Kiwi Chamber) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) launched the two-day “New Zealand-Korea Tech Roadshow 2021” webinar on August 25, 2021. The event was held jointly with the New Zealand Embassy in Korea, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Invest Seoul Center. The opening day of the roadshow was a big success, with over 50 people participating in the online event.
Returning due to popular demand, this year’s tech roadshow’s agenda highlighted “People & Environment,” emphasizing the importance of innovative technologies in overcoming COVID-19 and the climate crisis. Companies with innovative technology shared their insights and experiences at the event, while each country’s investment environment, policies and market entry opportunities were covered.
Opening the event, NZ Ambassador to Korea Philip Turner remarked, “The Tech Roadshow demonstrates the importance of technology for the successful future of both countries. Through the previous two events, we have created success stories of collaboration between numerous companies. In 2020, New Zealand’s technology industry accounted for 8% of GDP, an increase of 11.4% year-on-year, with exports of approximately USD 8.5 billion. Therefore, we expect that the New Zealand technology industry will grow further through cooperation with Korean companies that are known for having world-class technology.”
Philip Turner, New Zealand Ambassador to Korea, provides opening remarks at the New Zealand-Korea Tech Roadshow 2021
In his congratulatory speech, Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, said, “I am delighted that Korea and New Zealand, two leading countries in the world’s tech industry, will be able to build corporate ties and share their knowledge behind excellent investment environments and start-up ecosystems through this opportunity. I hope this event will serve as a steppingstone for tech companies in both Seoul and New Zealand to expand worldwide.”
Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, provides congratulatory remarks at the New Zealand-Korea Tech Roadshow 2021
At this year’s event, Peter Wren-Hilton, Head of Global Alliances at Agritech New Zealand, and Stephen Blair, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Korea, presented on “New Zealand’s AgTech Transformation” and “The Global Trend and Korea’s Opportunities,” respectively, further elaborating on New Zealand’s globe-leading agriculture technology, as well as highlighting two New Zealand companies Gallagher Animal Management and Geographic Business Solutions (GBS) who had enjoyed recent success in Korea.
Peter Wren-Hilton, Head of Global Alliances at Agritech New Zealand, delivers presentation on “New Zealand’s AgTech Transformation”
“A major challenge the agricultural and livestock industry in Korea faces is that the food self-sufficiency rate is about 46% due to the aging farmer population,” said Stephen Blair, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Korea. “New Zealand’s leading AgTech solutions, such as vertical farm technology, farm management through precise data analysis and automation facilities using robotic systems, are all solutions that can help.”
Mr. Blair added, “Forming partnerships with innovative New Zealand companies is one way to maximize agricultural productivity and improve agricultural product quality. In addition, New Zealand has extensive farmland, making it an ideal test bed for Korean AgTech companies to apply and verify new technologies.”
New Zealand has an innovation ecosystem that connects farmers and technologists with researchers, government agencies and tech entrepreneurs, both in New Zealand and internationally.
In addition, New Zealand and Korea have a great opportunity to collaborate as opposing seasons (New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere, Korea in the Northern Hemisphere) doubles the R&D time each year – an advantage New Zealand is happy to share with Korea.
Stephen Blair, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Korea, gives presentation on “The Global Trend and Korea’s Opportunities”
Dr. Tony Garrett, Chairman of the Kiwi Chamber, stated, “Through our efforts, we have assisted Kiwi firms with their market entry endeavors. Already the two countries have built a strong cooperative relationship in the fields of autonomous vehicles, regenerative medicine, robotics and Antarctic research. In the future, we will continue to actively engage in business exchanges with the Seoul Metropolitan Government as well as actively seek out investment and market entry opportunities.”
Dr. Tony Garrett, Chairman of The Kiwi Chamber, delivers opening remarks
[Live] Day 1 New Zealand Korea Tech Roadshow 2021 – People & Environment – YouTube
[Live] Day 2 New Zealand Korea Tech Roadshow 2021 – People & Environment – YouTube
