By Ochiaka Ugwu
Nigerian government has commended the efforts of Republic of Korea in increasing cooperation in Africa and achieving shared development through sustainable economic partnership.
This was made known by Nigerian Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar at the celebration of Korea’s National Day in Abuja, Nigeria on Thursday.
Tuggar who was represented by Director of Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Janet Olisa expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the government of Korea for its decision to extend trade and investment promotion framework to Africa and increase investment and development assistance to the continent.
His words, “We commend Korean government in all its effort in increasing cooperation in Africa and its overwhelming aim in achieving shared development through sustainable economic partnership.
“The successful hosting of first Korea, African Summit was a positive step towards formidable partnership. Nigeria expresses appreciation to the government of Korea for its decision to extend trade and investment promotion framework to Africa and increase investment and development assistance to the continent.
“Nigeria and Korea have enjoyed excellent and vibrant relationship since inception of diplomatic ties in 1980. This relationship has continued to grow in leaps and bound across various sectors including economics and cultural as well as People to people relationship” he stated.
In his Opening Remarks, Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Kim Pankyu that continues engagements with Nigerian officials will lead to further increase in economic exchanges between Korea and Nigeria.
He informed that during the Korea-Africa Summit, Korean President announced that Korea would continue to expand official development assistance up to ten billion US dollars by 2030 as a catalyst for projects for cooperation with Africa.
Kim announced his President’s commitment to provide fourteen billion US dollars to Korean companies by 2030 to encourage their activities in Africa.
“I am happy to share the news that recently an intra-governmental task force team has been composed to follow up on the economic partnership agreements made on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit.
“Since Nigeria is a leading economy and the biggest market in Africa, I believe that the partnership between Korea and Nigeria will be one of the most vibrant ones in the years to come.
“In fact, we are already witnessing meaningful progress. During the third quarter of this year, the trade between Korea and Nigeria increased by fifty-five percent.
“In particular, I would like to point out the fact that the import from Nigeria to Korea increased by ninety-one percent.
“I believe that this positive development will continue as more and more Koreans are interested in Nigeria and more and more Nigerians are interested in Korea.
“When I first came to Abuja earlier this year, I was pleasantly surprised by Nigerian people’s high interest in Korean culture such as Korean language, K-drama, K-pop and K-food.
“I had an opportunity to observe K-food contest in Abuja
and was deeply impressed by the Korean foods made by Nigerian chefs. When I observed Taekwondo championship in Abuja recently, I had a feeling that in a few years the number of gold medals that Korean athletes win at the Olympics may decrease due to brilliant Nigerian athletes” he said.
