The "World Technology Award" for future cities was held in Songdo Convensia, Incheon from Aug. 10 to 13. In the opening ceremony, about 200 people including Vice Minister Kwon, Do-youp of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Mayor of Incheon City, heads of construction organizations, lawmakers and experts on new technologies, etc. participated.
This event was held as part of Global Fair & Festival 2009 Incheon with an aim to encourage quality improvement in the construction industry and achieve future growth and attracted 100 enterprises from diverse fields from new technologies and products to patents (48 enterprises of new technology in construction, 9 of new technology in environment, 1 of foreign new technology and 42 of new products and patents).
In a congratulatory speech, Vice Minister Kwon, Do-Youp said that as the construction industry has greatly contributed to growing economy and overcoming crisis, new technologies will be a driving force for economic revitalization and low carbon green growth, which will help Korea take the lead in the future economy.
He also said that the Korean economy is recently showing signs of recovery and will grow at 3.5% next year, which is the highest growth rate among OECD member states and the construction industry has played a key role in overcoming the current crisis.
With the opening of the "World Technology Award", the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs expects that it will raise the awareness of Korea's excellent new technologies and construction methods, and thereby lay a strong foundation for domestic construction companies' entry into overseas markets.