President Lee Myung-bak, right, shakes hands with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade before a summit at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Lee said Korea will help Senegal develop its agricultural, social services and educational sectors. / Korea Times |
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak pledged Monday to double the country's official development assistance (ODA) to African countries over the next three years in a bid to deepen Korea's economic partnership with the region.
At a summit with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee said Korea will help Senegal develop its agricultural, social services and educational sectors.
The summit focused on ways to promote economic cooperation between Korea and Senegal.
"President Lee said Korea plans to double its ODA to Africa by 2012 and that it will continue providing support for Senegal," the presidential office said in a press release.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen economic exchanges between their countries, of which bilateral trade jumped more than double to nearly $50 million last year compared to 2005.
President Wade praised Seoul's efforts to improve its overall relations with African nations, while President Lee said Seoul, which will hold a G20 Summit next November, will work to promote Africa's interests at the economic forum.
The Senegalese leader arrived here Sunday on a four-day visit. He plans to participate in the second Korea-Africa Forum and meet with Korean business leaders.
The forum, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the African Union, will take place at the Lotte Hotel, today. The first forum was held in November 2006.
jj@koreatimes.co.kr
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