18/12/2014 06:17 AST
The United Arab Emirates is set to benefit from the Korean experts in fields of agriculture, aquaculture, medical technologies and sports.
These are some of several areas of collaborative support contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Dec.15, 2014 between the Korean-Emirati Entrepreneurs Exchange Association (KEEEA) and the Abu Dhabi based Emirati Entrepreneurs Association (EEA).
It was signed by the chairmen of the two associations, Korean-Emirati Entrepreneurs Exchange Association’s DongGyu Shin and Emirati Entrepreneurs Association’s Sanad Al Meqbali, and the Governor of the resort province of Gangwon, Moon-Soon Choi at the sidelines of a two-day World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) PyeongChang Roundtable 2014 held at Alpensia Conventional Centre.
In the collaborative business between the three entities, Gangwon “shall render full support in the construction of smart greenhouse vegetable farm that enables cultivation of high quality and organic green vegetables utilising IT and renewable energy in Emirates under ‘The Future of Desert Smart Agriculture Foster Programme.’”
Other five areas are fishery where Gangwon will “develop species suitable for coastal aquaculture in the Arab Emirates”; food; education, Medical services; sports, tourism, trade and investment.
Al Meqbali told The Gulf Today termed the MoU a “good framework for co-operation as it sets forth to enhance synergy among the parties because there are many companies in the UAE that can supply items like dates, grass and food for animals among other products to Korea.”
Al Meqbali, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Enjazat Services had earlier told this reporter that the “opportunities are abundant for emirati youths to open up business links with Korea in areas such as information and technology (IT).
We shall invite the Korean entrepreneurs to the UAE to explore more links.” Flanked by the Group Advisor of Enjazat, Ziad Makky, he said the six-month old association works closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Khalifa Fund and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation “and we have access to the data bases where the Emirati entrepreneurs can benefit.”
In the area of tourism, Gangwon which is home to 2018 PyongChang Winter Games will, together with the associations party to the MoU, “jointly use their best effort to attract Islamic tour makers by contracting to the Arab Emirates Street within the special Olympic zone” as part of promotion of the 2018 games to the tour makers from the Arab Emirates.
The athletes from the emirates are set to benefit hugely as Gangwon, littered with sports fields and ski resorts to be ready for hosting the games, committed herself to “enhance the national prestige of Arab Emirates by supporting the development of Emirates sports facilities for 2018 Olympics.”
Al Meqbali said that Korea has presented them with new ideas and channels needed to expand opportunities for the Emiratis especially those who want to engage in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Deputy Section Chief of KEEA, Jess(Min Hye) Lee was also present.
Held under the theme, “Globalising Korea”, the WIEF PyeongChang Roundtable 2014 was attended by investors and business leaders from various countries, mostly members of Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) interested in constructing trade and business bridges with Korea.
The roundtable programme consisted of three thematic discussion sessions on Islamic banking and Finance; tourism with Halal industry featuring prominently, and property sector particularly in Gangwon province.
The Gulf Today
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