PM meets Panamanian vice president, Lao foreign minister

By Kim Young Shin 
Photos = Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon held consecutive meetings with Panamanian Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo and Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith at the Government Complex Seoul on Aug. 30.

“Taking the expansion of the Panama Canal as an opportunity, our reciprocal cooperation on the fields of shipping and distribution will be boosted even further,” said the prime minister. “Let us cooperate on fast forwarding a Korea-Central America FTA and on promoting human interchanges in the fields of education and research.“

Vice President Saint Malo said that many successful Korean companies are participating in infrastructure projects in Panama, and that there are an increasing number of Korean ships in the country after the expansion of the Panama Canal in June 2016. “I wish for expanded opportunities for Panamanian youth to learn from Korea’s experience, such as student exchanges and specialists’ training programs,” she said.

During the meeting with the Lao foreign minister, Prime Minister Lee said, “I hope that Korea can share its experience of economic growth with Laos through development cooperation programs, and that Korean companies will be able to participate in Lao infrastructure projects.” He also said that, “It’s noteworthy that Lao workers are allowed to work in Korea for the first time now, because of last year’s MOU that facilitates employment of Lao workers here.”

During the meeting with the Lao foreign minister, Prime Minister Lee said, “I hope that Korea can share its experience of economic growth with Laos through development cooperation programs, and that Korean companies will be able to participate in Lao infrastructure projects.” He also said that, “It’s noteworthy that Lao workers are allowed to work in Korea for the first time now, because of last year’s MOU that facilitates employment of Lao workers here.”

ysk1111@korea.kr