ABU DHABI — South Korean nationals have celebrated their country’s National Day here with great fervour. A large number of Korean nationals from different emirates of the UAE gathered at the Hilton Hotel on Sunday to mark the occasion.
Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, was the chief guest.
Addressing the occasion, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE, Chung Yong Chil, spoke of the deep-rooted bilateral relations between Korea and the UAE.
“UAE is Korea’s second largest trade partner. We have enjoyed excellent trade and investment relations with the UAE. In 2000, the trade volume with the UAE was $6 billion, which climbed up to $16 billion in 2007. This is a great achievement for us,” Chil said.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Chil said the Korean companies were currently focusing on the renewable energy sector in the UAE.
Talking about cultural exchange, Chil said, “The Korea-Arab Society (KAS) was founded in May this year to promote cultural relations between Korea and Arab countries. The UAE has contributed $1 million to the Korea-Arab Society.”
The envoy added: “We have a cultural event slated on October 25 at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, in which several cultural troupes from Korea will take part.”
anwar@khaleejtimes.com