Envoy for free trade deal to boost Pak-South Korea ties

PESHAWAR: Stressing the importance of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and South Korea, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Park Kijun, on Friday said that such an arrangement could significantly strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Kijun was speaking to members during his visit to the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Korean envoy promised to take measures to ease the visa business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Kijun informed the meeting that South Korea had gained tremendous advancement in the high-tech industrial sector.“The Korean bilateral trade with many countries around the world has rapidly increased,” he added. Speaking on the occasion, SCCI President Fazal Moqeem invited South Korean companies to invest in hydropower generation, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbon, mining, tourism, and agriculture, along with industries, trade and other potential sectors.

He hoped trade relations would cement between the two countries with the exchange of trade delegations, enhancing economic cooperation and investment in potential sectors of KP.“KP is the golden gate for Central Asian Republics, Iran and South Asian states,” the SCCI chief stated, stressing the promotion of business-friendly relations between the two countries.

Fazal Moqeem said prospects were brighter to further cement bilateral economic and trade relations between Pakistan and South Korea. The SCCI chief expressed satisfaction over Korean investment in multiple sectors in Pakistan.

He, however, called upon the Korean ambassador to woo Korean companies in the potential sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The chamber president said Korean capabilities and cooperation in smart mining, renewable energy, seed technology, automation and pharmaceuticals will help to highlight the untapped skills of KP’s youths.