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Canadian trade minister visits Seoul
Ed Fast Canadian minister of int’l trade
Ed Fast, Canada’s minister of international trade, has come to Korea to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties following the implementation of a free trade agreement (FTA).
Nearly 100 business delegates representing some 80 Canadian companies accompanied the minister on his five-day trip, according to the Embassy of Canada.
The size of the Canadian delegation is a reflection of Canada’s deep interest in the Korean market, the embassy said. The FTA took effect from Jan. 1.
“The landmark Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement launched a new era for bilateral relations between our two countries,” the Canadian minister said. “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Eric Walsh as Canada’s new ambassador to the Republic of Korea. I have every confidence that Mr. Walsh will help raise our partnership with South Korea to the next level.”
During the trip, Fast will attend a business forum on Monday organized by the embassy and the Federation of Korean Industries, where he will deliver a keynote speech. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jik will also give a speech during the forum.
The Canadian delegation, Korean government officials, and business leaders will participate in the forum.
On Tuesday, Canadian companies will host a day-long business promotion event, dubbed the Export Cafe, at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul.
Omani embassy to promote tourism
The Embassy of Oman will host a tourism promotion event on Feb. 13.
The embassy said it has invited over 20 local tourist agencies and journalists to promote tourism in Oman.This is the first time that the embassy has organized such an event.
Details of the event have yet to be released.
The embassy said Ambassador Mohammed Alharthy will present several tourist destinations and stress that the country is safe, peaceful and clean enough to travel to.
The tourism event is part of the embassy’s effort to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between Korea and Oman, it said.
Korea, Belarus hold policy committe
Officials of Korea and Belarus agreed to draw up a roadmap detailing ways to bolster bilateral relations during their eighth policy consultation meeting in Seoul on Feb. 2. The two sides agreed to include parliamentary exchanges, ways to cooperate on global issues, and holding business forums and exhibitions.
They also plan to set up a joint science and technology committee, exchanges of research fellows in the area of creative economy and cooperation in e-government.
Korea and Belarus agreed to strengthen cooperation in the IT industry and consider signing memoranda of understanding on customs services and educational cooperation.
Korea proposed that the two sides work together to deepen joint studies in five agreed areas and expand people-to-people exchanges in the education field.
Belarus proposed that the Korean government consider a visa waiver for people of Belarus to facilitate exchanges.