Korean Embassy delegation visits and works in Nghe An

Receiving and working with the delegation were Mr. Le Ngoc Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and representatives of the leaders of the departments and branches: Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, Southeast Economic Zone Management Board, Provincial Police.

Overview of the working session between the Korean Embassy delegation and the People's Committee of Nghe An province. Photo: Thanh Huyen

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony for the Korean Embassy delegation, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that over the years, Nghe An province has always considered Korea as one of the top important partners for cooperation and development, and at the same time determined that Korea will be a key partner for cooperation in the province's international integration strategy with a vision of 2030 - 2035.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee informed Consul General Jeong Woo Jin about the socio-economic situation of Nghe An and cooperation between Nghe An and Korea in recent times.

Regarding local cooperation, at the provincial level, Nghe An and Gyeonggi provinces established friendly and cooperative relations since 2008. At the city level, Vinh city and Namyangju city established relations since 2005.

Regarding ODA aid, the project “Vietnam-Korea Industrial Technical Vocational College” in Vinh city is a typical project of Korea’s official aid to Nghe An province. The school started construction in 1999 and was invested by the Korean Government with a total budget of 7.3 million USD.

After 18 years of implementation, the Vietnam - Korea Technical Vocational College has become a model vocational training school in Vietnam. The school has trained thousands of highly skilled workers to supplement the workforce at Vietnamese and Korean enterprises, especially for labor export to Korea.

Mr. Le Ngoc Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee informed about the cooperation situation between Nghe An and Korean enterprises and localities. Photo: Thanh Huyen

Regarding FDI investment, Nghe An province currently has 32 FDI projects from Korea with a total committed investment capital of 196.8 million USD. Investment sectors such as: garment, electronic components manufacturing, telecommunications equipment... attract more than 10,000 workers.

Regarding labor, implementing the program of sending workers to work in Korea under the Korean Employment Permit Program for Foreign Workers (called EPS program), since 2005, on average, every year, 500 - 700 workers of the province are selected and accepted to work by Korean enterprises.

Regarding education and training, Nghe An has identified Korean as an important foreign language for students and workers who want to study and work in Korea. Therefore, Korean classes are commonly taught at vocational schools, foreign language centers and labor export companies.

Regarding Trade, in 2020, export turnover to Korea from Nghe An reached nearly 160 million USD, import turnover reached nearly 113 million USD.

Regarding consular work, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Provincial People's Committee has promptly supported and resolved difficulties and obstacles regarding the entry of experts for foreign enterprises in general and Korean enterprises and citizens in particular in the province.

At the meeting, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee proposed to the Consul General a number of contents to promote cooperation between Nghe An province and Korea towards the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Korea diplomatic relations in 2022.

Regarding investment promotion, Nghe An province wishes to coordinate with the Korean Embassy in Vietnam, KCCI, KORCHAM, KOTRA to organize and coordinate activities to attract investment in Nghe An province. Nghe An province leaders requested the Korean Embassy to support promoting cooperation activities between Nghe An province - Gyeonggi province, Nghe An province - Daegu city, Vinh city - Namyangju city.

Through the Korean Embassy, ​​Nghe An province hopes that the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will pay attention to and support the province in implementing the project "Diversifying eco-tourism products and community culture to increase income for ethnic minorities in the western districts of Nghe An".

The Consul General of the Korean Embassy spoke at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Huyen

The Consul General of the Korean Embassy in Vietnam acknowledged the efforts of Nghe An province in supporting Korean enterprises operating in the province in the context of the complicated Covid-19 pandemic, and pledged to accompany Nghe An province to promote cooperation activities between the two sides.

According to the program, the Korean Embassy delegation will work in Nghe An on October 21 and 22 with many activities; including organizing a workshop on "Propaganda on the Employment Permit System (EPS) and job introduction for repatriated EPS workers"; working with Korean businesses on consular work; visiting Kim Lien relic site./.