Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Joon-ho Lee
Doha: Korea will explore ways to enhance its trade and investment foot-print in Qatar which has a sound and stable business landscape, Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra) Director General Hanseung Kim told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the Qatar and Korea Business networking session in Doha on Wednesday.
"We see a stable political and business environment in Qatar with a strong forex market which is vital for investors," Kim said.
Qatar-Korea relations dates back to the early 1970’s when both countries commenced diplomatic ties and since then bilateral relations between the two counties have grown steadily.
"Korea sees Qatar open and friendly country for doing business which South Korean companies would capitalize on setting up business and expanding operations," Kim said.
Qatar is ranked the most open economies in the GCC in terms of investment and labour policies, offers 100 percent foreign ownership in every industry and has comparatively less regulations for national’s employment.
The Korea Medical Centre (KMC), a specialized and technologically advanced medical center and the only facility to be in the GCC is scheduled to open doors in Qatar next year.
"The opening of the The Korea Medical Centre, Qatar is an indication of global interest in Qatar," Kim said adding that KMC’s presence will be a major boost for new investments in the healthcare sector in the country.
The Korea Medical Centre, a unique state-of-the-art healthcare facility will be located in the Al Qutaifiya area, in the vicinity of The Pearl.
Kotra has been playing a pivotal role in promoting trade and investment between Korean and Qatari companies and has marked many ground-breaking ventures in energy, healthcare and agriculture sectors in Qatar.
"We hope to make new business match-making between Qatari and Korean companies focusing on smart farming, energy and heathcare, " the Kotra DG said.
Kotra is currently present in 127 offices in over 84 countries promoting trade and investment among Korean and global businesses.
Currently around 200 registered Korean companies operate in Qatar including global brands such as Hyundai, Samsung, and LG.
Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Joon-ho Lee speaking on the sidelines of the business forum said there is much potential for strengthening cooperation between Korea and Qatar in areas such as smart farm, energy and healthcare adding that many South Korean companies are well-equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and achieved great success in their smart farm projects.
He said public health is a vital sector which Qatar has been investing to develop the public health system, a key aim of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
“The Korea Medical Centre which is planned to be open next year can be an important stepping stone towards the two countries’ further collaboration on the joint medical projects,” the Ambassador said.
South Korean companies had partnered Qatar’s mega LNG projects such as the NFE EPC2 and LNG shipbuilding projects according to the Korean envoy.
Currently around 200 registered Korean companies operate in Qatar including global brands such as Hyundai, Samsung, and LG.
Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Joon-ho Lee speaking on the sidelines of the business forum said there is much potential for strengthening cooperation between Korea and Qatar in areas such as smart farm, energy and healthcare adding that many South Korean companies are well-equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and achieved great success in their smart farm projects.
He said public health is a vital sector which Qatar has been investing to develop the public health system, a key aim of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
“The Korea Medical Centre which is planned to be open next year can be an important stepping stone towards the two countries’ further collaboration on the joint medical projects,” the Ambassador said.
South Korean companies had partnered Qatar’s mega LNG projects such as the NFE EPC2 and LNG shipbuilding projects according to the Korean envoy.
