Samsung courts Matekane’s government

As IT giant pledges to help drive local developmental efforts

MATHATISI SEBUSI

MASERU – South Korea has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane to attend the Korea African Summit, in South Korea, in 2024. South Korean Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Do-Hun Lee, announced the invitation on a recent visit to Maseru to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations with economic cooperation being a primary focus. The Korean delegation comprised the Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Electronics Africa, Bumsuk Hong, among other delegates. Lee’s visit further strengthened diplomatic relations between the two nations with economic cooperation being a primary focus, while also seeking Lesotho’s support for South Korea’s bid to stage the World Expo 2030 in Busan.

The Busan World Expo 2030 will run from May 1, 2030, to the end of October 2030 should South Korea be successful in their bid. An equally important agenda item during the visit was South Korea’s pledge to support the development of the Moshoeshoe International Airport and also offer guidance and expertise within the agricultural sector. This South Korea pledge follows an earlier investment by Samsung though its CSR programmes. In December 2022, Samsung launched the Samsung Innovation Campus with Lerotholi Polytechic, an IT education programme designed to provide opportunities to deserving and previously disadvantaged youth to gain skills in coding, programming, artificial intelligence and the internet.

Hong, as Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Africa, is reported to be extremely passionate about the programme given the educational themes that combine future core technology capabilities with soft skills that are essential for job creation. A statement released by Samsung Electronics South Africa (PTY) Ltd following the visit states that the Busan World 2030 Expo focuses on creating a better future for all humankind and therefore fits perfectly into both government’s aspirations. “Samsung Electronics’ vision has always been the upliftment of humanity through technology and innovation. Supporting this strategic partnership and the bid for the World Expo to be hosted in Busan, during the 2030 edition, would not only assist in strengthening the two countries’ bilateral agreement but also contribute in the development of Lesotho’s economy.

“An equally important agenda item was South Korea’s pledge to support the development of the Moshoeshoe I International Airport and offer guidance and expertise within the agricultural production sector. This South Korea pledge follows an earlier investment by Samsung though its CSR programmes,” reads the statement. It further reads that Hong is extremely passionate about the programme given the educational themes that combine future core technology capabilities with soft skills that are essential for job creation. “Samsung strongly believes that Lesotho has an opportunity to further drive local developmental efforts leveraging World Expo. It is the perfect platform to share technological advancements and act as a catalyst for eco-friendly innovations and a greener future for all, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

As part of a global community, Samsung believes that these ongoing collaborations between the two nations, coupled by its empowerment initiatives, are designed to make a significant difference to all people. It therefore supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030. Samsung strongly believes that Lesotho has an opportunity to further drive local developmental efforts leveraging World Expo. It is the perfect platform to share technological advancements and act as a catalyst for eco-friendly innovations and a greener future for all, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.