(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, June 30 (Petra) -- Chartered direct flights will be available from Korea to Jordan next October, Korean Ambassador to Jordan Lee Jae-wan said, stressingthe importance of this move in enhancing cooperation in tourism the field.
In an interview Jordan News Agency (Petra) at the Korean Embassy late Saturday, the envoy pointed out that the number of Korean tourists who come to Jordan has been increasing where around 30,000 Korean tourists visited Jordan last year,adding that "Jordan has many tourist attractions and historical locations in addition to the security and stability it enjoys.
"In general, around 30 million Korean nationals travel annually for tourism," he explained.
Describing Jordan as one of the strongest countries with whom South Korea has a partnership, the ambassador said relations between the two countries have been witnessing steady growth and development since the start of diplomatic relations in 1962 in all fields.
The two countries also enjoy great coordination and consultations as well as common points of view regarding most international issues, he said.
With regards to Korean investments in Jordan, he said that Korea sees Jordan as a gateway to the Levant , noting that Korean companies have been actively involved in investment in Jordan, mainly the Korean company KEPCO in the areas of Manakher and Qatraneh in addition to the LG and Samsung as well as there are offices for around 15 Korean businessmen in Jordan.
The ambassador expected that commercial exchange between the two countries is increasing, where the volume of exchange reached $ 580 million last year and there is a chance for increase especially after the opening of borders between Jordan and Iraq.
He also stressed Korea's commitment to support Jordan in respect of development cooperation, and mentioned that Korea has presented support in the total of $417 million since 1990 in education, health, governance, water domains.
He also emphasized Korea's appreciation and support to the humanitarian efforts of Jordan in hosting Syrian refugees.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is constructing three new schools in Zarqa, Irbid and Mafraq to provide educational opportunities to Syrian and the local community, the envoy highlighted.
KOICA has, since 1991, provided $166 million as grant aid to Jordan to assist in fulfilling needs in several vital sectors through different types of programs, he said, adding one of the most prominent projects implemented by KOICA was the e-procurement project and the special school for the hearing-impaired students.
The diplomat also touched upon the Korean experience in development saying that Korea is the first and only country in the world to transform from an assistance-receiving country to a donor country. This was achieved through investment in human capital and setting up ambitious strategies.
The Korean ambassador called for utilizing human resources in Jordan to benefit from the Korean experience,expressing his admiration of Jordan's investment in human capital hoping that Jordan will enhance its economic development.
He also said that the GDP of Korea increased from $ 40.9 million in 1953 to $1.6 trillion in 2018,adding Korea has become in 2010 the 24th member of the world's donors club.
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30/06/2019 11:43:58
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