Published : Aug. 5, 2012 - 20:12
Morocco celebrated its national day in Seoul on July 30 the same day as its 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea.
Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi welcomed ambassadors and dignitaries with a speech to commemorate the country’s relationship with Korea.
“These 50 years of diplomatic relations attest outstandingly to the excellent ties that so happily exist between our two nations on the political, economic and socio-cultural levels,” said the ambassador.
Chraibi also addressed the growing trade volume between Korea and the North African country, applauding the efforts driven by the “willingness and determination of both sides.”
Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi (center) cuts a cake with members of the diplomatic corps to celebrate its national day in Seoul on July 30. (Robert Lee/The Korea Herald)
Korea and the Maghreb country have seen growth in bilateral trade over the past few years rising from $412 million in 2009 to $499 million in 2011, according to the Korean International Trade Association. Already in the first half of 2012, trade volume reached $429 million between the two countries with Korea seeing a $182 million surplus.
Chraibi also reiterated that the two governments are committed to further strengthening economic cooperation until they meet the expectations of the people from both countries.
The ambassador also applauded the efforts of the Korean International Cooperation Agency, which has invested over $18 million in official development assistance in the Mediterranean country during the past 20 years.
KOICA has recently focused on the country’s human resources and training in various areas. The state-run assistance organization also established the Morocco-Korean Center for Information and Communications Technology for Education in 2008.
By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)