|
President Lee Myung-bak and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates agreed to strengthen global cooperation in information technology on Tuesday. In a meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Gates accepted Lee¡¯s proposal to become a global advisor to the president. Gates said Korea was an ¡°important partner¡± for Microsoft¡¯s global software business, adding his company will continue to strengthen its partnership with the Korean government and companies to generate W7 trillion (US$1=W1,015) worth of economic effects. Gates promised Microsoft will invest US$147 million in Korea in the automotive sector, information technology, games, and education over the next five years.
Prior to the meeting, Microsoft signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors and the Institute for Information and Technology Advancement on joint investment in an automobile innovation center. Hyundai will invest $166 million and Microsoft $113 million. Microsoft also signed an MOU to invest $34 million to establish a global game center to promote the game industry and information literacy education.
Lee said the projects, which incorporate motor and information technology with cultural contents, proposed ¡°a new model for symbiotic global cooperation.¡± At a dinner hosted by the president, Gates said he would devote himself to charitable work after he retires as chairman of Microsoft in July this year, and suggested that Lee join him in philanthropic work after he retires from the presidency. Lee responded this was a good idea, and expressed his belief in contributing to less fortunate places like Africa.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
