Minister Kang Kyung-wha Holds Video Conference with Heads of Diplomatic Missions from Six Gulf Countries... Discusses Corporate Support and Revitalization of Middle East Diplomacy

Minister Kang Urges "Efforts to Protect Our People and Support Business Activities"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 20th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a video conference chaired by Minister Kang Kyung-wha with the heads of seven diplomatic missions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to assess the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and low oil prices on GCC countries, and to discuss measures to support businesses and revitalize economic diplomacy with the Middle East.

The GCC is a regional cooperation organization formed in May 1981 by six oil-producing countries in the Gulf region: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, to strengthen regional cooperation.

The video conference was attended by the ambassadors to Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the Consul General in Dubai, along with officials from relevant departments related to Middle East and economic diplomacy at the headquarters.

The attending heads of missions shared assessments of the economic situation in GCC countries due to the spread of COVID-19 and the decline in oil prices, and discussed ways to support Korean companies’ entry into the Middle East and expand economic cooperation with the Middle East under the new diplomatic environment after COVID-19.

In particular, they focused on addressing difficulties faced by companies, such as the increasing number of COVID-19 confirmed cases at construction sites operated by Korean companies and issues related to the entry of essential personnel due to border closures by GCC countries, and discussed support measures for these challenges.

Furthermore, anticipating that GCC countries will pursue economic restructuring after COVID-19 by moving away from oil dependence, diversifying industries, and expanding the private sector’s share, they discussed various ways to comprehensively strengthen cooperation with GCC countries, focusing on sectors where Korea has strengths, including not only basic industries but also healthcare, ICT, defense, nuclear power, e-government, and agriculture.

Minister Kang Kyung-wha encouraged, "Although the situation is difficult with the worsening trend of COVID-19 spread within GCC countries and the continued low oil price trend, I ask the heads of missions to make efforts to protect our citizens and support corporate activities." She also urged, "Please make your best efforts to achieve tangible results through close cooperation between the headquarters and missions, focusing on the matters discussed in today’s meeting regarding the revitalization of economic diplomacy with the Middle East."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.