Chandigarh, December 8
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann intensified his outreach in South Korea on Monday, holding a series of high-level meetings with business giants and technology leaders as he pushed for deeper economic ties and fresh investments in Punjab.
Mann met senior executives from Daewoo E&C, GS Engineering & Construction, Nongshim, the Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), inviting them to explore opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, food processing, defence manufacturing and startup collaboration.
During talks with Daewoo E&C Chairman Jung Won Joo, Mann highlighted potential cooperation in offshore wind projects, solar and hydrogen generation, LNG terminals, petrochemical complexes and large civil infrastructure. He cited Punjab’s “unified regulatory framework” and ongoing industrial reforms as key advantages for investors.
In discussions with GS E&C Vice President Young Ha Ryu, the Chief Minister pushed for partnerships in green hydrogen, modular construction technologies, smart cities and EPC-led industrial complexes. Mann assured full state support for Korean companies seeking expansion in India.
Food and beverage leader Nongshim was urged to co-create noodle flavours for Indian consumers, widen its retail and e-commerce footprint, collaborate on sustainable packaging and invest in plant-based and longevity food research.
With KDIA Vice Chairman Lee Sung Kyu, Mann sought cooperation in defence manufacturing, AI and robotics-driven systems, cybersecurity and skill development programmes aimed at strengthening Punjab’s industrial capacity.
The Chief Minister also met officials from Seoul Business Agency to explore joint incubation programmes, global marketing support for Punjab startups and knowledge-sharing in innovation ecosystems. Mann said accreditation models such as the Seoul Awards could boost market credibility for emerging Punjabi enterprises.
At a roundtable with major Korean legal, investment and technology firms—including KOTRA, KITA, KAR, SK Securities, Kim & Chang and Dentons Lee—Mann showcased Punjab as “one of India’s most preferred investment destinations.” He invited suggestions on improving ease of doing business ahead of the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026.
Mann later visited Pangyo Techno Valley—Korea’s answer to Silicon Valley—where he studied its accelerator programmes, testbeds and deep-tech infrastructure. With more than 1,780 companies and 83,000 professionals, Pangyo, he said, offered a model that could be adapted to accelerate Mohali’s transformation into a high-innovation district.
The Chief Minister said the Seoul roadshow highlighted Punjab’s commitment to forging long-term economic partnerships with South Korea, stressing the state’s ambitions in manufacturing, technology, food processing and research-led industries.