MOU promotes stronger ties among Canadian and Korean nuclear suppliers

VANCOUVER, Aug. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korean Atomic Industrial Forum (KAIF).  The MOU was signed by Dr. Ron Oberth, President of OCI, and by Mr. Kye-Hong Min, Executive Vice Chairman of KAIF, during a reception on August 26 for Korean delegates to the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference (PBNC-2014) in Vancouver.

The Pacific Basin Nuclear conference is a bi-annual event that brings together organizations from nuclear countries and regions around the Pacific Rim. This year's event marks the second time that it has been held in Canada: the first PBNC Conference in Canada was held in Banff in 1998.

This Memorandum of Understanding outlines several ways that OCI and KAIF will work together including identifying opportunities at nuclear projects in Korea, Canada, or third countries on which OCI and KAIF companies can cooperate. The MOU supports and promotes innovation and cooperation associated with joint development, design, testing, licensing and construction on pressurized heavy water reactors, pressurized light water reactors, and small modular reactors in Korea, Canada, or in third countries. OCI and KAIF will organize seminars in Korea and in Canada to exchange information leading to enhanced collaboration and possibly the creation of joint ventures among OCI and KAIF companies.

Another objective of the KAIF-OCI MOU is to encourage and facilitate cooperation among Canadian and Korean nuclear research institutes and universities on nuclear research, development, and nuclear education.

"OCI celebrates this MOU signing and looks forward to building a strong working relationship with the Korean nuclear community" said OCI President Dr. Ron Oberth. "This relationship will be further strengthened by a planned OCI-led Nuclear Trade Mission to Korea in April 2015."

Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI) is an association of 180 leading Canadian suppliers to the nuclear industry in Canada and foreign markets. OCI companies employ more than 10,000 highly skilled and specialized engineers, technologists and trades people who design reactors, manufacture major equipment and components, and provide engineering services and support to CANDU nuclear power plants in Canada as well as to CANDU and Light Water Reactor (LWR) plants in offshore markets. OCI promotes the continued and expanded use of nuclear energy in Canada and supports member companies in both domestic and international nuclear markets.

Korean Atomic Industrial Forum (KAIF) has a membership of more than 100 related Korean companies in nuclear power engineering and design, equipment manufacturing, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance, research and development, and other services. KAIF has a mandate to support nuclear industries, to enhance communications with relevant Korean governmental departments, and to promote the safe, efficient and sustainable development and application of nuclear energy in Korea and other locations.

SOURCE: Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI)

Dr. Ron Oberth, President, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, 905 839-0073 or 647 407 6081, [email protected] or Ms. Marina Oeyangen, Manager Member Services and Communications, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, 905 839-0073 or 905 706 5958, [email protected]