During the fourth and final stop of her Middle
East tour, President Park Geun-hye held talks
with the Qatari emir to discuss ways for Korea
to participate in Qatar′s preparations for
the 2022 World Cup.
Reaffirming their growing partnership, the
two sides also agreed to expand cooperation
in a wide range of areas.
Choi You-sun reports from Doha.
Qatar, the host of the World Cup in 2022,
plans to spend 100 billion dollars to build
facilities, railway and roads ahead of the
international sporting event.
Korea has participated in major state infrastructure
projects in Qatar for years, and now Korean
companies are hoping to win orders for some
30 billion dollars worth of World Cup projects
to construct long-distance railways, roads,
sewage treatment facilities and World Cup
stadiums.
Meeting with the Qatari emir on Sunday, President
Park Geun-hye said there are so many potential
areas of cooperation, and that she′s encouraged
by Doha′s great interest.
"We believe Korean companies have an advantage
in entering the Qatari market, because their
know-how and technology in infrastructure
projects in the Middle East are highly noted."
The Qatari emir said his country is ready
to further develop and solidify the bilateral
cooperative relationship.
Seoul and Doha are also seeking to increase
their investments in each other′s economy.
The leading Qatar Investment Authority fund
is reported to be interested in several Korean
projects, and is negotiating a two-billion-dollar
investment venture with the Korea Investment
Corporation to enter a third country together.
In the service sector, the two leaders have
agreed to systemize the training and hiring
of Korean workers in Qatar′s airline, education
and health care industries, as the word has
spread about Koreans′ work ethic and credibility.
Seoul and Doha have also agreed to strengthen
cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy
and health care.
"From nuclear energy and agriculture to cultural
content development, President Park has laid
the groundwork for expanding cooperation with
the Middle East during her regional tour.
She returns to Seoul on Monday.
Choi You-sun, Arirang News, Doha."
