Lee urges businesses to cooperate in global competition

By Byun Duk-kun

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak called on businesses Thursday to work together to gain a national competitive edge, saying that countries rather than companies compete in the international market.

The president's remarks were mainly aimed at South Korea's materials industry but
also apply to other businesses, Lee's aides said.
"We must resolutely get rid of any walls between all domestic companies if we are
to gain competitiveness in the materials industry. It is now impossible to win in
global competition unless they work together for joint survival," Lee was quoted
as saying at a weekly meeting of a special council on the economy.
Lee said government measures to help develop the country's materials sector were
already in place, adding the only remaining issue was how well the measures are
implemented, according to Park Sun-kyoo, a spokesman for the presidential office
Cheong Wa Dae.
The president said one of the most pressing issues for the industry was securing
capable workers.
"We must train our human resources here while simultaneously working to bring
well-trained workers from abroad," Lee was quoted as saying.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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