ISLAMABAD: Korea is desirous to develop strategic economic development relations with Pakistan and in order to formulate a country specific development strategy it will soon send a high-level technical team to negotiate the specific possibilities.
A meeting was held in the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) on Thursday to review implementation of projects being implemented through Korean assistance worth around $300 million. The meeting was chaired by EAD Secretary Dr Waqar Masood Khan. Ambassador of the Embassy of Republic of Korea Choong joo Choi was also present along with his team. The EAD secretary appreciated the Korean assistance and noted with satisfaction that not only the quantum of bilateral cooperation has increased over a short period of time but its scope has also enhanced.
Progress of all development projects being implemented in Pakistan through Korean Assistance was reviewed in the meeting. Similarly the projects, for which Korean Assistance is expected shortly, were also reviewed minutely. Both sides expressed satisfaction with regard to Korean development assistance for the following projects: GEPCO Sub-Station for Rural Distribution construction project, which is being implemented with Korean assistance to the tune of $45 million. Construction of Malakand Tunnel Project for which a Korean assistance of $78 million is being negotiated. Establishment of Centre of Excellence in Information Technology at Islamabad which is being implemented under KOICA’s grant assistance of $5 million.
National Capacity Building institute for Water Quality Management (PCRWR) for which the government of Korea has committed a grant of $3.0 million. Apart from development projects, Korean Assistance for Capacity Building of Pakistani Civil Servants was also reviewed. The Korean ambassador offered that if the government of Pakistan desired tailor-made capacity building courses for its officers, the Republic of Korea will come forward with a helping hand. Similarly, the Korean ambassador also offered that Korean development model could be introduced at university level for the purpose of benefiting the Pakistani development researchers to find good lessons.
The meeting was informed that the Korean government attaches a great importance to the government of Pakistan and is desirous to develop strategic economic development relations and in order to formulate country specific development strategy, which currently Republic of Korea has with 24 countries of the world, soon a high-level technical team will visit Pakistan to negotiate the specific possibilities. The EAD secretary appreciated the sincerity of the government of the Republic of Korea and assured the visiting dignitaries that Pakistan will reciprocate the initiative with matching sincerity and warmth. -Dailytimes
