Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, looks forward to enhanced bilateral relations between Barbados and the Republic of Korea.
He conveyed this sentiment during a virtual farewell courtesy call with the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador, Moonup Sung, who was based in Trinidad and Tobago during his three years of tenure.
Minister Walcott thanked the Korean Ambassador for the work done in the region since 2019 and for the humanitarian assistance given in 2020 to Barbados, in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister noted the money received was “well spent” on medical supplies and equipment.
During the farewell courtesy call, Minister Walcott expressed the hope that there would be opportunities for exchange of technical expertise in areas such as renewable energy and that cultural exchanges could be strengthened in the arts, film, taekwondo and other areas.
In turn, Ambassador Sung, who is accredited to four other Caribbean islands, namely Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, stated that he enjoyed working with Minister Walcott and the Ministry’s team during his term.
He gave the assurance that his country would continue to play its part in strengthening relations between the two countries including efforts to promote global trade and the continuation of its Masters’ Scholarship Programme.
The outgoing envoy congratulated Barbados for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and on attaining leadership for the hosting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 15).
Other matters discussed during the courtesy call included: Double Taxation Agreements; eligibility criteria for Official Development Assistance; Green Climate Fund; ICT and Climate Change.
Barbados and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic ties in 1977. (BGIS)
