Ministry of Foreign Affairs Discusses COVID-19 Prevention Measures and Support Plans for Companies Entering the Middle East

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the morning of the 2nd that it held a "Public-Private Joint Meeting of Related Agencies" chaired by Ko Kyung-seok, Director General of the Africa and Middle East Bureau, to listen to the difficulties faced by Korean companies operating in the Middle East and to prepare related measures.

This meeting was held to listen to the difficulties in quarantine, immigration, health, and medical care at actual sites amid the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 among workers at construction sites of Korean companies in the Middle East, and to discuss practical support measures.

Relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as well as overseas construction associations and companies operating in the Middle East participated. Participating companies included Hyundai Engineering, GS Construction, Hanwha Construction, Hyundai Heavy Industries, SK Construction, Ssangyong Construction, Hyundai Construction, Samsung Engineering, Samsung C&T, and Doosan Heavy Industries.

The meeting attendees reviewed the trend of COVID-19 spread at construction sites of Korean companies in the Middle East, listened to specific difficulties and support needs by country and site from company representatives, exchanged opinions, and discussed countermeasures. There are 313 construction sites of 194 Korean companies in 18 Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Israel, and Morocco, with 5,625 nationals working there.

Attendees from each ministry agreed that securing the health and safety of overseas Koreans is the government's top priority, and decided to establish a permanent communication system between local embassies and companies, support close communication with clients, assist in the export and import of quarantine supplies, and provide all possible support including emergency telemedicine consultations.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "To protect overseas nationals, revitalize the economy, and support overseas companies, we will closely monitor the trend of confirmed cases among overseas nationals due to the spread of COVID-19 in the Middle East, and actively seek effective response and support measures in organic cooperation with related ministries, quarantine authorities, and Korean companies."

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