Seoul: Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, who is heading the UAE's delegation to South Korea, yesterday inaugurated the second joint committee meeting between the two countries in Seoul, in the presence of Youn Jin Han, South Korea's Minister of Strategy and Finance.
The meeting was attended by senior executives from various government sectors in the UAE, and discussed strategic areas of cooperation between both countries in the fields of innovation, investments, small and medium businesses, civil aviation, health care, technology and education.
In his opening address Al Mansouri said: "South Korea is a strong and reliable partner in our efforts to position the UAE as a diversified and knowledge-based economy.
"Our countries have the right resources to lead innovations in technology, creativity, research and development, small and medium businesses and intellectual property rights.
"Both the government and private sector in the UAE look forward to an era of increased co-operation and stronger economic partnerships with South Korea, especially during the next five years".
Al Mansouri invited South Korean investors and businesses to leverage the growing UAE sectors, especially in infrastructure, financial services, retail, health, aviation services, telecommunications and technology.
"Investors and enterprises in the UAE are keen to explore business opportunities in South Korea," he said.
"It is only natural that the harmonious and mutually supportive relations we share are extended to stronger bilateral trade relations.
"More than ever, technology and developing the skills of our people will be the thrust of our development strategy in the coming years. This will offer a wide window of opportunity for South Korea and the UAE to pool in resources, forge joint ventures and accelerate mutual investments in developing human capital.
"South Korea is admired worldwide for its technological innovations. The UAE has also launched various path-breaking initiatives and created a superior infrastructure to incubate, incorporate and promote technology in all walks of life.
"This presents a win-win opportunity for both countries to enhance bilateral trade relations."
Al Mansouri met Zone Oun Shin, South Korean Prime Minister, to review relations between Korea and UAE.
The Korean Prime Minister praised the economic growth of the UAE and the relations between both countries, especially in the context of the nuclear project that South Korea is building for the UAE.
He welcomed the results of the second joint committee meeting and directed his government to commit and implement on the agreed topics.
Al Mansouri said the UAE was keen to exchange experiences in innovation, technology and SMEs, and to provide training courses for UAE students in Korean companies.
