Busan City and a delegation from the Canadian province of Quebec met on the morning of June 26 to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in cutting-edge technologies and key industries.
The meeting, held at Busan City Hall’s international protocol room, was led by Administrative Mayor Lee Jun-seung and Quebec Minister of International Relations Martine Biron.
The two sides reviewed opportunities for deeper collaboration in areas such as quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace, and port logistics. Both regions are recognized as industrial and research hubs within their respective countries.
Mayor Lee welcomed the Quebec delegation and expressed appreciation for their visit. He highlighted Busan’s ambitions in developing its AI and quantum sectors and noted the city’s strong port infrastructure.
Minister Biron emphasized Quebec’s capabilities in quantum science, AI, aerospace, batteries, and healthcare. She described the province as “a trustworthy and practical partner” for Busan and expressed hopes for future joint ventures. She also stressed Quebec’s goal to expand cooperation with major cities in Korea and the wider Pacific region.
Busan plans to send a delegation to Quebec in July to sign business agreements with local universities, research institutes, and related institutions, further advancing collaborative projects.
The Quebec delegation also visited the UN Memorial Cemetery and the Korea Maritime Institute as part of their Busan itinerary. This marks the second official Quebec visit to the city in 2024, following engagements by the Quebec Government Office and Quebec Investment Corporation earlier this year.
The city and the delegation also discussed broader cooperation in education and culture and explored industrial partnership opportunities through a roundtable with the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
