(Incheon, South Korea—August 4, 2025) Today at the APEC Smart Mobility Forum, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) and the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA) announced a new partnership focused on bilateral research and development initiatives and technology pilots. Through this partnership, OVIN and KAIA aim to accelerate the entry of automotive and mobility-focused companies into global markets and catalyze the growth of smart, sustainable cities.
“By uniting Ontario and South Korea’s innovation ecosystems, this partnership will accelerate the development of advanced automotive and mobility solutions, attract high-value R&D investment, and enhance the global competitiveness of both jurisdictions,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “In 2024, Ontario’s two-way trade with South Korea reached $13.3 billion, an increase of nearly 85 percent since 2018. This agreement builds on that momentum by opening new doors for Ontario companies to scale internationally, integrate into global supply chains, and help shape the future of smart mobility.”
Driven by shared goals to advance transportation technologies and promote sustainable growth, OVIN and KAIA have embarked on collaborative R&D projects involving Ontario-based companies and Korean partners. Building on these early successes, OVIN and KAIA aim to expand bilateral R&D initiatives and implement technology pilots across a wide range of areas, including smart mobility, transportation and infrastructure networks, charging technologies, smart sustainable cities, net-zero targets, and digital twins, among others.
Through this partnership, OVIN will unlock new opportunities for Ontario companies to pilot their innovative technologies to Korean markets, and in the process, engage with international customers and partners. These activities will help homegrown companies gain a foothold in new markets and integrate their offerings into global supply chains, catalyzing long-term economic gains.
“Ontario is a global automotive, mobility, and technology powerhouse with a long history of integrating innovative technologies into global supply chains,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “OVIN’s partnership with KAIA will further accelerate these efforts by driving the growth of cutting-edge technologies and unleashing their transformative potential. Together, we are paving the way for emerging automotive and mobility solutions to usher in a new era of prosperity here in Ontario, and beyond borders.”
As a result, this partnership can also pave the way for collaboration on international standard setting for smart mobility and smart, sustainable cities, laying the groundwork for alignment on governance and exchange of data and resources.
“I find it meaningful that this international joint research with OCI will lay the foundation for cooperation between the two countries to lead technological innovation together,” said KAIA President Kim Jung-hee. “I hope that this agreement will serve as an opportunity for the two organizations to expand their presence in the global land, infrastructure and transport technology market and jointly address future challenges through closer partnership.”
As Korea is Canada’s eighth largest trading partner, this strategic partnership between OVIN and KAIA represents a new avenue for fostering cross-border knowledge sharing and cooperation in driving automotive and mobility innovation. With growing export opportunities for Ontario automotive, information and communications technologies, and mining companies, this partnership is set to further strengthen both jurisdictions’ respective leadership positions in the global market.
“This partnership between OVIN and KAIA is a powerful example of how international collaboration can unlock new frontiers for innovation and economic growth,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). “By connecting Ontario companies with Korean partners, we’re not only accelerating the development of next-generation mobility solutions, but we’re also expanding Ontario’s global footprint in automotive, clean technologies, and smart infrastructure. At the Ontario Centre of Innovation, we’re proud to support initiatives that open new markets, drive technology adoption, and position Ontario as a global leader in sustainable transportation.”
About the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
OVIN is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies. Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies.
About the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA):
KAIA is the sole government institution in Korea that specializes in the overall research, development and innovation activities for the sectors of built environment, infrastructure, transport, cities, aviation, etc. Its scope of services covers conducting R&D planning, management and implementation and issuing the certification on new technologies.
Media Inquiries
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca