Kuwait hopes for the quick launch of a medical cooperation program with South Korea, the Gulf country's parliamentary speaker said Friday, expecting that more Kuwaitis may benefit from Korea's advanced medical infrastructure under the program.
  
The expectations from Marzouq Al-Ghanim, the speaker of Kuwait's unicameral National Assembly came as the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on healthcare cooperation during President Park Geun-hye's four-nation visit to the Middle East in March.
  
The MOU will allow South Korea to provide medical services and training to Kuwait where about 3,000 people go abroad every year for medical treatments, costing some US$500 million, according to Park's office.
  
"I think the South Korea-Kuwait medical cooperation may put into actual operations at the earliest time possible although the timing will be determined by related ministries," Al-Ghanim said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency. "Kuwait's National Assembly fully supports it and hopes it can kick off as soon as possible."
  
He said South Korea's medical sector has advanced infrastructure which is on a par with other competing countries to which Kuwait sends its patients for treatment.
  
Touching on the Gulf country's national economic plan, billed as "Vision for 2035," Al-Ghanim also expressed hope that South Korean firms could join the Kuwaiti plan to become a financial and economic center in the Middle Eastern region.
  
"I hope South Korean firms could play a role as arteries for Kuwait's economic plan as Kuwait's petroleum does so for the South Korean economy," he noted.
  
Kuwait is ready to enhance bilateral ties further with South Korea in various fields including politics, education and economy, as well as healthcare, he added.
  
Also Friday, Park met with Al-Ghanim and expressed hope that the two countries can strengthen their cooperation in smart grids, cyber-security and information technology, as well as infrastructure, according to Park's office.
  
Al-Ghanim said he welcomed Park's various proposals for cooperation.
  
A smart grid technology is, among other things, designed to increase power system efficiency. (Yonhap)