Yeongju hosts Japanese consulate, trade groups for bearing industry tour

Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, hosted officials from Japanese diplomatic missions and economic organizations Friday for an industrial tour showcasing the city's bearing industry technology and investment conditions.

The visit was part of the "Investment Environment Field Forum for Japanese Missions and Economic Organizations in Korea," a two-day event organized by North Gyeongsang Province from Thursday to Friday.

About 30 participants attended, including representatives from the Consulate-General of Japan in Busan, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and officials from North Gyeongsang Province and Yeongju City.

The delegation first visited the Hi-Tech Bearing Technology Center of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, where they toured research and technical support facilities and reviewed the support systems and industry development programs backing local companies' technology advancement.

The group then visited the Yeongju factory of Bearing Art Co., touring its main production facilities and examining the company's bearing manufacturing technology and production capabilities. The stop gave participants a firsthand look at the city's technical support infrastructure and manufacturing competitiveness.

Yeongju City used the occasion to introduce its bearing industry base and corporate competitiveness, and to explore potential avenues for future industrial cooperation with the Japanese diplomatic and economic representatives.

"This visit was a meaningful opportunity to introduce Yeongju's bearing industry foundation and technological capabilities to Japanese economic officials," Yeongju Mayor Hwang Byeong-jik said. "We will continue to engage with domestic and international economic organizations and companies to attract investment and expand industrial cooperation."