[Sponsored Report] Kogas works to give Daegu a boost

The World Gas Conference 2021 National Organizing Committee attends the 19th International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas in Shanghai. [KOREA GAS CORPORATION]

Since its headquarters moved to Daegu in 2014, Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) has been actively carrying out specialized local cooperation projects to meet local needs and rapidly integrate itself into the local community.

Kogas provided a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System (HACCP) certification to AhnShim Factory, a social food enterprise in Daegu, to strengthen its competitiveness and to establish the foundation for growth in local companies.

The corporation also co-hosted the Global Start-up Competition with Daegu and helped a domestic company with an artificial intelligence-based global webtoon platform attract $2 million from a Chinese investor.

In addition, Kogas built up a foundation for mutual growth with local universities in Daegu through cooperative programs. This year, it signed an agreement with Keimyung University to develop research and education and to foster a new business in the field of information and communications technology.

The corporation signed an academic and industrial collaboration agreement with Kyungil University to introduce security drones and develop expertise. Kogas has been making persistent efforts to strengthen cooperation with local universities to nurture local talent, introduce new technology and develop open and collaborative technical development ecosystems.

Last year, Kogas earmarked 3.6 billion won ($3 million), the largest amount ever committed by a public agency in Daegu, for social contribution projects including job creation and reducing energy costs.

Since 2016, the corporation has run its academy for homeless people every year, with a total of 31 homeless people being recruited. It also promotes the Happy Nest Project, under which old houses are repaired for low-income families and various energy welfare projects also help lower energy costs.

The World Gas Conference, the largest event in the global gas industry, will be held in Daegu in 2021. At the event, more than 20,000 people from 90 countries will gather and various discussions on gas exploration, production, transportation and utilization will be held.

According to Daegu Gyeongbuk Research Institute’s analysis of the economic impact of the World Gas Conference (WGC), the ripple effects include 63.1 billion won of production and 32.4 billion won of value-added inducement, generating as many as 1,179 jobs.

If successfully hosted, new infrastructure such as an exhibition hall and accommodation facilities will be established, leading to Daegu’s growth as a global city. Kogas will contribute to the development of the domestic gas industry and Daegu’s global image enhancement by mounting a publicity campaign for the city.

“Hosting the World Gas Conference will be a great opportunity to promote the power of the Korean gas industry on the global stage,” said Kim Young-doo, president of Kogas. “We will do our best to cooperate with the local government and gas corporations to make a new forum for global gas experts and lead the success of WGC 2021.”

Korea Gas Corporation is looking forward to developing various community-based projects and creating a healthy regional economic ecosystem that shares the dreams and hopes of Daegu through the World Gas Conference 2021.

By Shim Ji-yong [shim.jiyong@joongang.co.kr]