Pakistan, Korea expand bilateral cooperation

The following is the message by Shaukat Ali Mukadam, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Korea. ― Ed.

It was on March 23, 1940, 72 years ago that the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent resolved to have an independent country. And after a valiant struggle from the colonial rulers, Pakistan became an independent state 64 years ago, on Aug. 14, 1947.

Pakistan and Korea enjoy very cordial relations across the full gamut. Since the establishment of the ambassadorial level relations in 1983, when Mr. Oh Jae-hee was the first ambassador to Pakistan, besides being Korea’s envoy to Japan and the U.K., our relations have progressed in manifold. Our volume of trade which was $94 million in 1980s increased phenomenally to $1.5 billion in 2008 and last year it was $1.18 billion, an increase of 6.17 percent over the $1.1 Billion in 2009.

Today, many of the South Korean conglomerates, such as Lotte, Sambu, K-water, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai E&C, Doosan E&C, STX, Daewoo Engineering and KOSPO etc. are engaged in 24 mega Hydel water, thermal power, road, chemical plants, Steel industry projects or have expressed their keen desire to do so. KP Chemicals, a subsidiary of Lotte Group had alone invested an amount of $500 million in the PTA, Plant in Pakistan in 2009. Pakistan is a potential domestic market of more than 175 million people and lies at the strategic location leading to the Central Asian Republics and the Gulf. Pakistan desires that Korean companies get a larger share of this lucrative market.

Pakistan and Korea closely coordinate and consult each other on various issues and support each other in various international organizations. In order to have sustained institutional contact, the two countries are holding regular consultations to further explore the avenues of bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, commerce, culture and education

Pakistan and Korea enjoy the strength of 31 agreements. The Joint Commission and the Bilateral Political Consultations are two important forums to further cement our relations. There are about 10,000 Pakistani workers/labor/students in Korea who are proud of their association with the Korean economy. Many high level visits took place last year which included the Minister for Investment, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Minister for Minorities and Secretary Education.

In retrospect, the year 2010 was a year of pain and grief for Korea when it lost its 46 sailors in the Cheonan incident on March 26 and innocent civilians in the Yeonpyeong attack on Nov. 23. Pakistan shares the pain and sorrow of Korean friends. But 2010 was also a year of great achievement for Korea, as it convened the first G20 Summit in an Asian country, its economy reached a GDP of one trillion dollars, it became the seventh largest exporter in the world, its tourists reached 8.8 million and Korean Tourism Association is aspiring to take it 10 million. And of course, its sportsmen bagged 76 gold medals in the Asian games. The government and people of Korea deserve to be proud of their achievements. Pakistan shares the happiness and achievements of the Korean people.