The Korea-Arab Friendship Express Caravan arrived in Qatar Tuesday officially launching a series of Korean cultural and economic events in the Middle East.
Following its first opening ceremony in the North African country of Algeria Sunday these events are being held in 11 Arab nations to raise better awareness of Korean culture and businesses in the Arab world.
[Interview : Mohammed Alsada
Qatari Minister of Energy & Industry] "It's excellent. We've been able to have a glimpse of the beautiful, rich culture of Korea. We know Korea very well at the business level and today we enjoyed a beautiful cultural show."
The opening ceremony in Qatar showcased a diverse program including a traditional Korean percussion performance samulnori as well as a break dance show that combined traditional Korean music with dynamic Western movements.
Qatari performers were also on stage to offer the more than 100 guests a taste of Arab culture.
The Korea-Arab Society an organization that promotes relations between Korea and 22 Arab nations expects a boost in the number of such cultural exchanges in the future.
[Interview : Lee Heebeom, Chairman
Korea-Arab Society
] "Starting from next year we will have university students exchange program, which means we'll invite some Arab university students from 22 Arab countries and also we'll have young business leaders exchange program so we'll have young Arab leaders, and also young Korean business leaders to get together."
These exchanges are expected to become a firm foundation in strengthening economic ties between the two regions.
[Interview : Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman
Qatari Businessmen Association] "The Arab world is fertile land for investments in petrochemical industries and downstream industries since there are mainly oil industries in the Arab world. I think that Korea with its technological development can help the Arab world and both regions, both societies can benefit from each other's experiences and each other's competitiveness."
A delegation of over a dozen Korean businessmen were in Doha for talks with local businesses interested in productive joint ventures.
Big name Korean companies such as Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Doosan Heavy Industries are already doing business in Qatar.
Korean business undertakings in the Arab world have increased over the past few years and the bilateral trade volume between Korea and 22 Arab nations is expected to surpass 100 billion US dollars this year.
Construction orders from Middle Eastern nations have skyrocketed surging over 22 billion US dollars last year more than triple the amount reached in 2005.
[Reporter : Ahn Jisu] "With new business opportunities in Arab nations emerging every day Korean companies are turning an eye to the Arab world. But observers say without mutual understanding and trust between the two regions gaining a competitive edge in the Arab market will not be an easy task. Now, Korean officials and business leaders hope that strong cultural and social exchanges between the two regions will provide a solid backbone for future business relations.
Ahn Jisu, Arirang News, Doha."
OCT 22, 2008
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Arirang Town
Wednesday, FEB 10, 2010, (KST) 
