This means that data from city dwellers’ devices and their interaction with the physical city will determine how the government allocates resources and even influence the private sector as well. Although major developing smart cities are inspired by technology, old-school construction resources like steel are still required.

Here’s a look at where the next wave of smart cities will emerge and what opportunities lie ahead.

Countries Ripe for Smart Development

The major developing cities to watch are located in India, China and Africa. These areas of the world are ripe for growth, and what they have in common is a vast amount of land. Before modern ICT and IoT were available, it was almost impossible to imagine a way to uniformly connect these large areas into a single city. However, thanks to technology, governments will be able to bring greater numbers of people together and better manage resources for all. And development is already well underway.

India

In India, the “world’s oldest city” is being developed into a smart city. The city is called Varanasi, and it’s a holy place for the Hindu religion. However, its outdated infrastructure has created a demand for rejuvenation, and Varanasi’s renovation plans involve a lot of steel. With plans to outpace Japan as the second largest producer of steel, Varanasi will be rapidly expanding its own production capacity and turning to the global steel industry for material and technological support. Planned improvements to Varanasi include creating more affordable housing, improving the public transportation system and upgrading the sanitation system. All three of these improvements are major undertakings, and all three have roots in steel. Creating new housing structures, rail systems and modern sanitation will boost steel consumption.

SEE ALSO: Revving Up for Growth: India’s Automotive Market is In Full Gear

A model of the planned smart city in Dholera, in southern Gujarat, India. (Source: Cities Digest)

Aside from Varanasi, there were nearly 100 cities considered for smart city development in India, and approximately 20 of those have been approved by the Indian government for funding. The smart cities on India’s shortlist come from a variety of regions. This redevelopment project is part of a larger goal by the Indian government to bring the large country together. By implementing smart city technology throughout the vast country, India will be able to create a better-organized society.

China

China is rapidly developing its smart cities. With plenty of funding and technology to spare, the Chinese government has earmarked 500 cities for smart city development. While the original goal was to complete the transformation for all 500 cities by the end of 2017, more than half of the listed cities are still undergoing development.

So far, Qingdao, Hangzhou and Xiamen cities are ranked at the top for smart city governance according to the National Development and Reform Commission and the China Center for Urban Development. These cities are already equipped with wifi internet service on buses, smart register and pay services and robots that interact with citizens on a daily basis. Hangzhou, in particular, has been a sort of test tube for Alibaba’s City Brain project where they gathered massive amounts of data for artificial intelligence (AI) to process and make decisions with. The technology has drastically improved the city’s efficiency by decreasing traffic and the time it takes to respond to emergencies. As a result, City Brain will be exported to and implemented in other Chinese cities. Although not everyone is sold on the idea because the technology may put citizens’ privacy at risk, it is still expected to speed up smart city implementation all over China.

Tianjin City is one of the cities in China developing into a smart city. (Source: Bosch)

These cities will require support from the steel industry to develop and engineer high-quality, high-traffic amenities with technology at the core. Similar to Varanasi, many Chinese city projects will initially focus on housing and transportation upgrades.

SEE ALSO: Ask an Expert: 3 Managers Explain POSCO China’s Success in Challenging Chinese Market

Africa

In Africa, over 300 cities will transition into smart cities, but many development projects are facing delays getting off the ground. Much of Africa is in need of establishing standard city amenities like city government offices, schools and an open market for privately-owned businesses. Nevertheless, the region presents a tremendous opportunity for growth, and Africa’s smart cities may become some of the most efficient locations around the world.

The Modderfontein Smart City is being developed in Johannesburg by Chinese firm Zendai. (Source: Future Cape Town)

Because there is a lack of complex infrastructure, these smart cities will be built almost from scratch, allowing the people of the city to benefit from a more customized smart-city technology. Instead of working around a historical route or building, African smart cities have the flexibility to transition into smart cities optimized for the exact needs of their developing governments, education systems and business communities.

The construction of African smart cities will start from scratch. (Source: SOFREP)

This is a city planner’s dream come true. And it’s ripe for steel consumption. The steel industry can provide high-quality materials and technologies, ensuring the best construction methods and materials from the onset. Without having to re-engineer structures, African smart cities are expected to be state of the art.

While opportunities are vast in this new arena of development, many of the top steel companies have already signed contracts with developing countries to assist with smart city production. But that doesn’t mean all of the work has been assigned. With thousands of cities slated to go smart within the next five years, the steel industry will have many opportunities and play a large role in the redevelopment of these communities. Steel companies that have an eye for technology and the highest quality products will be highly sought after in the years to come.

Cover photo courtesy of IoT India Magazine.

Of these many railways across the globe, which are becoming bigger, faster and longer today, The Steel Wire explores two recently established railway systems that opened limitless opportunities for the countries they connect.

The World’s Longest Tunnel Through the Alps

The world’s longest and deepest train tunnel officially opened in December 2016, after nearly two decades and USD 12.5 billion worth of construction work in Switzerland. The new 35-mile or nearly 57km tunnel was designed to replace the previous tunnel, which had limited train speed and cargo capacity as it would wind up, down and around the Alps.  

The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), which can carry passengers deep under the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Lugano, has been praised across Europe for improving connectivity from Rotterdam to the Adriatic and revolutionizing European freight and passenger transportation. The almost perfectly flat pass allows high-speed passenger trains and heavy freight trains with twice the cargo to race through up to 155 mph. The efficiency and reliability of rail freight traffic and increased transport capacity of the route will allow as many as 260 freight trains to pass through the GBT every day (the maximum number was 180 for the previous mountain route).

The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) in Switzerland, the first flat route through the Alps (Source: Zacharie Grossen)

The GBT was deemed one of the biggest engineering feats in Swiss history. The Alps have always posed an obstacle to trains traveling between the North Sea and the Mediterranean due to zones of stone that had been crushed to bits as the Alps formed. Throughout construction, project engineers were constantly battling the pressure from the Alps and the humidity inside the tunnel.

So how were they able to dig the longest tunnel ever, perfectly level, through the base of the Alps?

In order to keep the pressure of the Alps from crushing the tunnel, specially designed steel reinforcements were used for tunnels and flexible beams that had moving parts held together with clasps. Ventilation was of the utmost importance for the project engineers to fight close to 100 percent humidity and 115 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures. Nine-mile long ventilation tunnels were designed to bring fresh air into the tunnel.

This behind-the scenes video provides an immersive 360-degree look into the tremendous amount of work that’s been put into building the GBT.

The tunnel has overtaken Japan’s 53.9km Seikan rail tunnel as the longest in the world and pushed the 50.5km Channel Tunnel linking the UK and France into third place. This new world record may not last long though as China has recently announced plans to link the northern port cities of Dalian and Yantai under the Bohai Strait with a railroad that is an estimated 76 miles (123km) long.

Chinese-funded Railways Linking East Africa

Another recently completed railway project is the Chinese-backed electric railway across Africa, which officially began operation in October 2016. The electrified and environmentally friendly project will replace the previous, diesel-powered Addis Ababa-Djibouti line.  

The project was initiated when a pre-feasibility study conducted in 2007 showed the importance of renovating the line from an economic and financial perspective. This 466-mile or 750 km long tunnel is expected to cut travel time between the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and the port in Djibouti from three days by road to 12 hours by rail. The express line will also help optimize trade by giving businesses and passengers a cheaper and safer alternative to the notoriously dangerous trip between the two cities that are often clogged with cargo trucks.  

Africa’s first fully electrified cross-border railway connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti (Source: AFP)

According to Transport CS James Macharia, “The laying of the tracks in itself will have a huge impact on the GDP even before completion of the project. Local businesses are expected to contribute up to 40 percent of all supplies whilst more than 50,000 Kenyans will be employed either directly or indirectly by the project.”

The USD 4 billion project was built by China Railway Group and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and partly financed by Chinese banks. Why did China see the railway as an investment opportunity?

China has provided about USD 12 billion in loans to Ethiopia since 2000, and is Ethiopia’s main trading partner for exports and imports. The railway construction will not only reduce the cost of doing business but will further create an export market for China’s booming steel and construction industries. According to Deborah Brautigam, professor of international political economy and director of SAIS-CARI, “They have overcapacity in China. They have steel that they want to use. They’ve got experienced companies that know how to build railways.”

These recently built railway systems show just how far reaching railway innovation and engineering have become. The world today would be unimaginable without these advancements. What other industries and businesses are next to evolve thanks to railway innovation?   

Both individuals and corporations must become more environmentally responsible, being mindful of the levels of waste water, trash and emissions produced both at home and in the office. Considering these factors in the architectural designs of the future, we can ensure a healthy and sustainable planet. Yet, a number of buildings are a step ahead and have already incorporated sustainability into their own designs, setting the precedent for future architectural endeavors. On this World Environment Day, let’s take a look at a few of them.

Northeast Asia Trade Tower (NEATT)

Standing 68 stories tall, the Northeast Asia Trade Tower in Songdo International Business District, Incheon, is the tallest structure in South Korea. It is also the crown jewel of POSCO’s leading innovative technology, utilizing revolutionary features such as a 3D exterior design, a seismic force resisting system and high level security and anti-disaster measures.

Yet, NEATT, which is a mix of office spaces, a luxury hotel, serviced residences and retail stores, also serves as a model of sustainable design strategies, carefully balancing energy conservation, increased indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort. Its range of passive design strategies, which include daylighting, natural ventilation and energy efficient HVAC systems, as well as its eco-friendly, non-toxic construction materials, have ensured that the skyscraper is not only friendly to the environment, but to its human inhabitants, too.

Monte Rosa Hut

Perched above the skiing mecca of Zermatt, Switzerland, the Monte Rosa Hut is a lodging space used by hikers in route to the summit of the same name on icy glacier treks. The five-story crystal-shaped building was constructed on stainless-steel foundations with a wooden spiral interior covered by a silver aluminum shell. During its construction, materials and workers were transported by train to Zermatt, requiring 3,000 helicopter trips.

The hut uses solar power for about 90 percent of its energy and heat requirements. Excess energy is stored in valve-regulated lead-acid accumulators, which ensure power in all kinds of weather. Large windows allow the sun to heat air inside the building, and melting glaciers in the area provide the lodge’s water supply, which is collected and stored in a nearby reservoir. (Image from http://bit.ly/1AJVsUa)

Meera Sky Garden

Perhaps no other building on this list is as one with nature as the Meera Sky Garden in Sentosa, Singapore. This eye-catching, eco-friendly home was designed by Guz Architects, and it overlooks the island’s harbor.

Divided into four distinctive floors, each of which is covered with a grass roof, the home appears as if it is four separate houses, yet is still seamlessly connected by a natural element. Not only are these garden-like spaces visually pleasing, but the grassy roofs help to keep the interior temperatures at a minimum, saving energy. (Image from http://bit.ly/1ddeBTx)

Pixel

While Pixel’s chaotic, colorful exterior is the first thing one might notice about the small office building in Melbourne, Australia, its sustainable design is what really makes it noteworthy. Some of its design innovations include a panel shade system that allows natural light into the office, while at the same time, reducing glare and heat. More impressively, Pixel utilizes wind turbines to generate its own electricity.

As Australia’s first carbon neutral office building, Pixel was also the first building to ever be granted a perfect score on the country’s Green Star sustainability rating system. (Image from http://bit.ly/1JoxIpS)

Bank of America

When the Bank of America building was erected in Manhattan, New York in 2009, it set the standard for all environmentally responsible buildings to come. Its base-to-roof insulating glass external structure enhances heat insulation while creating a large source of natural light, while the building’s extensive solar panels produce energy for the building.

And the Bank of America knows how to save water. Its greywater system collects and recycles waste from sinks and water fountains into the refrigeration system, while its catchment systems collect and save around 45 inches of rain that fall on the site each year. Such sustainable features landed the skyscraper the LEED Platinum Award, the highest level of the internationally recognized green building rating system.

The Change Initiative

In a city that is seemingly ever under construction, The Change Initiative (TCI), an eco-lifestyle shop that stocks everything from environmentally-conscious detergent to greywater recycling tools, sets itself apart from other buildings in Dubai.

Often noted as one of the most sustainable commercial buildings in the world, the majority of the materials used to create TCI are recyclable. The roof is coated with heat-reflective paint and is embellished with solar panels that generate about 40 percent of the building’s energy, while the building’s outer structure has three times the insulation of the average building. (Image from Gundeep Singh) 

For more information about current worldwide green initiatives and for ways that you can “consume with care,” check out the World Environment Day website.

The primary reason for the ‘Age of Iron’ to continue further is in the nature of iron (Fe). Iron is highly stable because it holds the highest bond energy compared to all other artificially-created elements. Also, it is much more economic than other metals or advanced materials because iron is the second most abundant metal after aluminum. Since it is flexible to transform into alloys by various purposes, it is can be applied in almost every industry field.

Second, demand for industrialization and urbanization is another factor that continues the ‘Age of Iron’. Realistically, it is hard to say that its growth will pause or recess at a global level. Therefore, the growth of the industry and economy will still remain as a dominative and indispensable paradigm.

Certainly, as the industry and economy develops, the demand for iron could relatively show less increase. However, almost all industries including the manufacturing and energy sector will extend their demands for steel and other fields such as construction business will expand their alternative and steel demands. As China and India, which officially have entered the developmental stage, Southeast Asia, Middle East area and even Africa go through urbanization and industrialization, the global scale of steel demands could increase largely in the future.

Lastly, the steel industry itself is transforming into an eco-friendly and energy-saving business. Coming from nature and returning to the nature, iron is a highly recyclable material. However, energy-guzzling activities and emissions of environmental pollutants occur while processing iron to fulfill the needs of human-beings. Nevertheless, these side effects are even decreasing as technology and endeavor develop further.

More Beneficial to Human-beings and Nature
The continuation of the ‘Age of Iron’ does not necessarily mean that there will be no perceptible change. Like all things, iron and the steel industry are experiencing their own evolution. In fact, it is not only about the evolution of producing and processing method. The relationship between iron and human-beings is also going through a transformation. In other words, iron is evolving into a better direction for human-beings, nature and the earth.

High-strength steel sheet aptly supports this view. High in tension and strength, the high-strength steel sheet is five times stronger than regular steel sheet of same thickness. The high-strength steel sheet is environmental-friendly because it increases fuel efficiency by reducing the vehicle’s weight. Also, it is capable of saving human life through its high collision safety that stems from its exceptionally high strength.

Electrical steel sheet is another example that minimizes energy loss and preserves the environment. As numerous motors are used in an automobile, a motor with good energy efficiency and magnetic characteristic is required for maximized energy use in a limited energy source and space; the electrical steel sheet precisely fulfills this required condition.

Despite the fact that iron is an environment-friendly material, it is undeniable that toxic substance has been coated or added in order to secure or enhance the special functions of steel sheets. However, lately there has been a wide use of eco-friendly steel sheets which do not contain the harmful substance but highlight the environment-friendly features.

As shown, iron has been evolving into a direction of benefiting human-beings while minimizing the damages on nature and eco-system. Also, it has been used most fundamentally and widely among all other materials, and this is expected to continue in the future. Especially, iron will maintain its pinnacle in the fields of marine and aerospace, the prospective categories of the most rapid developmental pace.

New Product Research and Development for the ‘Future of Iron’
Future is a subject to be pioneered rather than to be given. It is important to predict coming days of the ‘Age of Iron’, but it is much more crucial to figure out the general picture of the ‘Age of Iron’ that we create for the future.

Firstly, when we consider the technical aspect, it took about 25-50 years to discover a technical change that had significant influence on the steel industry. For instance, electricity was developed 100 years ago, and open-hearth furnace which was vanished in the late 1980s in the United States as basic oxygen furnace was invented in the 1950s. Moreover, continuous casting technology, which was developed in 1960s, has improved in its technological maturity, but is still in the process for completion.

Fundamentally, it is inevitable for the prospective iron and steel industry to move forward in a direction for the humans, the society, and the earth. In addition, the industry should advance with a direction that maintains a position of steel known for its diverse functions and economic efficiency.

Recently, main subjects of technology in the steel industry are cost reduction and high productivity, simplification of production, utilization of economical materials, new product development technology, and etc. Even though there are still financial and environmental issues in the way, there are endless possibilities in steel manufacturing and technology development opportunities related to the steel industry. In fact, these possibilities are tried in action every day.

The future of iron and the steel industry is promising when these useful features are expanded. Only those steel companies, whom maneuver their directions into researching and developing iron and steel products in corresponding ways, will be qualified to be the leader of the prospective steel industry.

Please keep your eyes open for POSCO, who is striving to be the leader of the future iron and steel industry through its futuristic perspectives on iron and steel products!

Pictured here: Man Seok Choi on front right with his colleagues in 2012

We’d like to introduce you to Man Seok Choi who is responsible for POSCO’s business development into Africa. He joined POSCO in October 2012 and currently works within the business strategy department which involves a long-term vision for steel business expansion in Africa and the Middle East. Fluent in Korean, French and English, Man Seok has recently done a lot of work communicating with the Cameroon government for business development. How was it possible for a Korean to get so deeply involved in business growth for Africa?

Dreaming big and learning languages on-the-go!

The life-changing experience in Tunisia

Studying abroad played a significant role in Man Seok’s life. As a young university student, he dreamt of being a CEO, dentist, diplomat or working in an international organization. But as we all know, life does not always go the way we expect it to. He became a French major and through the suggestion of his professor, he applied and went on an exchange program to Tunisia. It is in Tunisia that Man Seok mastered his French speaking skills. Being immersed into French-speaking surroundings helped Man Seok improve his French fairly quickly. 

Pictured here: Man Seok during his exchange program in Tunisia

 Taking on new challenges in Australia

After finishing the fascinating experience in Tunisia, he returned to Korea briefly before deciding to study English. Through a friend’s recommendation, Man Seok joined a program called WWOOF (Willing Workers On Organic Farm) which is a program operating in Canada, Australia and France where individuals work on farms in return for a place to stay and food. Man Seok chose to move to Australia where he learned English while working on a chili farm.

Taking advantage of unexpected opportunities

Upon graduating from university, Man Seok entered an organization belonging to the ‘Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’. While working at the organization, his friend who had gone to Cameroon as an interpreter told him about a new job opportunity in Cameroon. There was an engineering company in Cameroon seeking a person who could speak French. Man Seok decided to take advantage of this surprise opportunity. Man Seok set up the regional office in Cameroon and had the opportunity to meet Cameroon’s vice minister, minister of industry and even the prime minister!

 Leveraging key strengths 

Pictured here: Man Seok after POSCO signed a MOU with the Cameroon government

After living and working in Cameroon for four years, Man Seok joined POSCO to develop business development strategy plans for Africa. Thanks to his trilingual skills, Man Seok was the translator for POSCO CEO Chung Joonyang when he visited Cameroon Prime Minister Philemon Yang in July 2013 to enter into MOUs for cooperation on steel industry development and offshore plant fields. The Cameroon government since 2011 had been requesting support from POSCO to develop and advance the steel industry. Accordingly, POSCO proposed the `Cameroon Steel Industry Development Policy` in 2012 and has been supporting the Cameroon government in steel industry development.

[box]

Based on Man Seok’s experiences, here are 5 tips for learning a new language:

1)    Travel and be immersed in the language

If it were not for the trips made to Tunisia, Australia or Cameroon, Man Seok would not have been challenged to learn new languages. By going on exchange programs and overcoming language barriers, one can quickly pick up new languages.

2)    Do not hesitate when you learn a new language

It is important to be modest but one must not be shy to speak new languages! In Cameroon, Man Seok interpreted for the Korean ambassador of Cameroon and consortium with administrators of Cameroon. Speaking with confidence helped Man Seok excel in speaking new languages.

3)    Use body motions to communicate

Sometimes body motions can help with the communication process. Through actions and repetition, others can understand you better and you can speak more fluently as well.

4)    Practice with a friend

The purpose of learning new languages is to communicate so the best way to learn is through conversation. Wherever Man Seok went, he took advantage of his surroundings and made friends to practice his conversational skills.

5)    Set goals and don’t stop until you achieve them

One of Man Seok’s mottos are ‘Take up challenges without hesitation whenever you have a chance!’ If you confront a challenge or opportunity, you should always take it.

[/box]

POSCO celebrated the construction of a poultry farm to mark the completion of its second session of ‘Saemaeul Agricultural training’ in Mozambique.

Saemaeul Agricultural training centre marks one of the remarkable POSCO CSR activities. Inspired by ‘Saemaeul’, economic movement done in 1970’s in Korea, this training encourages solutions for poverty in African and Asian countries.

Saemaeul Agricultural training centre in Mozambique, in Manica, was founded in 2011, managed by POSCO and KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), as well as KFHI (Korea Food for the Hunger International). Over the course of a year, trainees learn about farm management and instruction of agricultural machines, among other techniques.

For the ceremony to celebrate its 2 years of successful operation, representatives of Manica came to encourage the trainees, as well as Byeongsun Cho, executive manager at KOICA and Joongsuk Park, executive manager at POSCO Africa. The event was covered by National television and radio in Mozambique.

Saemaeul Agricultural training centre aims to foster independent town models and POSCO hopes to continue these types of CSR efforts.

At the awards ceremony organized by the Sharing Korea Campaign Office and hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and KBS, Vice President Hwang Eun-yeon received the President’s Award on behalf of POSCO.

POSCO received the President’s Award for carrying out various social contribution projects and for the strength in depth of its employees’ participation in the sharing activities.

Ever since its foundation, POSCO has never stinted in its support of ways to grow together with the local community, look after neglected neighbors domestically and internationally, and foster global talent. Indeed, 98% of all company employees participate in volunteer activities with the average employee volunteering 36 hours, making POSCO a leader in social contribution activities.

POSCO Family employees and families participate in volunteer activities on ‘Sharing Saturday’ once a month, while a ‘Global Volunteer Week’ is in operation whereby POSCO Family employees participate across the globe in volunteer activities for one week. This year, over 55,000 POSCO Family employees from 22 countries participated either in looking after the socially marginalized or in environmental cleanup activities.

In addition, emergency relief kits were made and provided to victims of natural disasters, while clean ocean volunteer activities have been carried out to cleanup marine ecosystems. What’s more, sister relationships with 240 organizations and villages nationwide are helping neighbors in need throughout Korea.

The Global Saemaul (New Community) Movement has been promoted in developing countries to support the fight against hunger and help in the battle to overcome poverty. The POSCO Children’s Center established in Zimbabwe, Africa, provides education for children aged 3~5 along with children suffering from aids, and is operated by support funds from POSCO Family employees.

Not only that, but POSCO employees have been participating in the ‘1% Sharing Activity’ by donating 1% of their wages to neighbors in need. The sharing activity, which started in October 2011 among 930 POSCO and POSCO family company officers and senior managers, has been extended throughout the company exceeding a 96% participation rate in just 18 months since it first started at POSCO, and with 90% at investing companies. POSCO established the 1% Sharing Foundation to utilize funds more meaningfully, and plans to carry out systematic social contribution activities.

Meanwhile, following the Sharing Korea awards, the 4^th Annual Sharing Korea Festival was held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium Peace Plaza for two days starting on the 5^th. POSCO participated and operated a booth that showcased POSCO’s social contribution and sharing activities.

Actively unfolding global Saemaul Movement, the new village movement, in poor areas of Africa and Asia, POSCO has been carrying out infrastructure construction projects, which are conducive to economic development ,including developing rural villages, improving housing environment and building agricultural training centers, where farming techniques are passed down and agricultural leaders are made, thereby helping them grow and become independent.

As part of this global Saemaul Movement, POSCO has been carrying out the ‘Mongolia Agricultural Leadership Training Program’ in Mongolia in partnership with Global Civic Sharing, an international development NGO.POSCO established a Local Development Training Center in Jargalant Mongolia in 2002, and has been conducting training every year for 120 of the agricultural leader candidates selected throughout Mongolia since 2010. The agricultural leadership training project is to provide skills to Mongolia which will substantially contribute to enhancing incomes for local rural villages. Such skills include the practice of greenhouse agricultural and the building of cattle sheds.

The project is also designed to promote communal spirit for the empowerment of leadership qualities and abilities. So far, POSCO has conducted 14 different agricultural leadership trainings along with5 lots of the leadership camp, and 667 trainees have completed the training course.

Among them, POSCO selects some 10 outstanding trainees each year and provides them with a study tour to S. Korea which includes a field trip to ‘Eco-Farm’, an eco-friendly agriculture support center operated by POSCO in the city of Pohang. 11 outstanding trainees have been selected this year.

They arrived in S. Korea on September 29, and were given with advanced agricultural techniques of the country. For four days from September 30, the Mongolian trainees received practical training necessary for improving agricultural techniques, including pasturage plants cultivation, potato cultivation, agricultural machinery and eco-friendly material manufacturing, as well as residential leadership training on how to convince residents, local issue solving techniques, economic development strategy, and more.

While paying a visit to the memorial hall in the birthplace of Saemaul Movement, Pohang steel mill and POSCO center, they also had a time to appreciate and experience S. Korea and POSCO, which have accomplished a great deal in developing the economy based on the Saemaul Movement. After visiting Pohang steel mill and the forestation memorial forest in Goryeong-gun on October 4, the trainees will move to Seoul where they have time to explore and experience the culture of S. Korea, before returning to their country on October 6. While spreading the Saemaul development model to African and Asian countries, POSCO has demonstrated a variety of accomplishments.

In Mozambique and Zimbabwe of Africa, POSCO built Saemaul agricultural training centers, teaching specialized knowledge and techniques about agriculture and stockbreeding, while increasing agricultural production and contributing to solve Africa’s famine problem. In Ethiopia, meanwhile, the Saemaul Development Project is under way, with overseas volunteers including the retirees of POSCO along with their family members stepping up their efforts to improve village environments as well as enhance the income of their neighborhoods. When it comes to Asia, POSCO is promoting Dream Village project to develop a village for non-homeowners in Vietnam, and carrying out the global Saemaul Movement in Indonesia, Nepal and Mongolia.

Chung Joon-yang, POSCO’s chief executive officer and chairman, held a meeting with Cameroon Prime Minister Philemon Yang on July 23 and entered into an MOU for cooperation on steel industry development and offshore plant fields, the businesses Cameroonian government has been striving for.

Chairman Chung Joon-yang signed an MOU on ‘Steel Industry Cooperation’ and ‘Offshore Plant Cooperation’ with the Cameroon government at the Cameroon Prime Minister’s official residence. From the left, Minister Fuh of the Industrial Mining Technology Development Division, Chairman Chung Joon-yang, Cameroon Prime Minister Philemon Yang and Chairman Nyassa of the CNIC Board of Directors.

POSCO, which has served a pivotal role for Korea’s 5-year economic development plan in the 1970s, will be joining hands with Africa’s newly rising nations to pass on technology and know-how in the steel and offshore plants.

Cameroon has 5 billion tons of iron ore deposits and produces deoxidizing gas, which are essential for steel-making. Also, it is ideally located to stably supply steel materials to countries around the Gulf of Guinea. This fact will be a great boost for POSCO because the area has been showing more than 8 percent growth rate for recent years in terms of annual steel consumption.

Since 2011, Cameroonian government has requested supports from POSCO for the development of the nation’s steel industry. In response, POSCO proposed the ‘Cameroon Steel Industry Development Policy’ in 2012 and provided necessary supports to boost Cameroon’s newly emerging industry. With the MOU signed by Chairman Chung and Prime Minister Yang, POSCO will continue working with a suitable model to bolster the steel industry of the West Africa.

Cameroon is also located at the center of the Gulf of Guinea which produces more than 4 million tons of crude oil daily, making it an optimal location for jack up rigs and offshore plant repair. POSCO will additionally sign cooperation MOU with the shipyard operated by the Cameroon government, carrying out investment cooperation as well as technological training in the offshore plant repair field, and searching for joint project opportunities.

[box]

<Related Post>
* POSCO Spreads Hopes with New Community Movement in Africa and Asia

[/box]

POSCO is providing free sessions for those who cannot afford quality education on regular basis in Mozambique. So far, there have been 50 graduates from the facility and POSCO is expecting 30 more graduates in 2013. The students learn practical techniques for rice farming, making composts and using agricultural machines. They are also living in a dormitory to learn about the core values of diligence, self-help and cooperation, which are the key spirits of New Community Movement.

Mozambique’s best students visit Eco Farm in Korea

POSCO invited Armindo Silvestre Langa and Tamara Alfredo Lipangue, the two best pupils from the education facility, to Korea. The tour included visits to POSCO’s Eco Farm and steelworks sites to learn about in-depth agricultural knowledge and Korean culture.

On June 3rd, the two Mozambicans went to Eco Farm, an agricultural education institution founded by POSCO for Korean retirees who wish to return to farming. It was set up in April 2011 and offers various training programs with basic, intermediate and professional curriculums. Armindo and Tamara were very excited to see how Korea’s advanced agricultural technologies were taught and operated there.

The two students participated in practical trainings on how to make organic fertilizers, to grow tomatoes without seeding and to enhance the harvest productivity by using pest control methods more efficiently. Armindo and Tamara were eager to learn as many techniques as possible so that they can implement them back in Mozambique.

Meeting with Presidents and showing enthusiasm for bright future

On the next day, Armindo and Tamara delivered presentations in front of Mozambique’s president Armando Emílio Guebuza, who was in Korea for a summit with the President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye. They talked about their experiences at Eco Farm and impressions about Korea.

During the presentation in front of the two presidents, Armindo expressed his gratitude for the opportunity POSCO has provided. With the knowledge he learned, Armindo talked about his plan to farm garlics in Mozambique after graduation. “As garlics are not easy to harvest in Mozambique and we import them from overseas, I would like to contribute to Mozambique’s economy by cultivating our own garlics on our own soil,” he said.

Armindo continued to highlight the knowledge he learned from POSCO’s New Community Movement programs. “I heard Korea was a poor country but was able to achieve such a dramatic development through New Community Movement.” “I learned the three core values of New Community Movement: diligence, self-help and cooperation.” At the end of the presentation, Armindo shared his long-term plan of forming a community in Mozambique, to help those seeking jobs and wanting to learn useful techniques, just like he did at POSCO’s agricultural training facility.

The presentation delivered by the two bright Mozambican students was indeed memorable. They hoped POSCO’s efforts to educate and train the next generation farmers in Mozambique could be a cornerstone for developing Mozambique’s economy in future. ‘Hello, POSCO’ wishes all the best for everyone in Mozambique and we will keep you updated with more stories from this campaign!