OREANDA-NEWS. September 10, 2009. The Korean small and middle-sized business is interested in cooperation with Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Korea to Belarus Lee Yun Soo told reporters in Gomel on 10 September. The Korean Ambassador is in Gomel on a two-day official visit.

The visit of the Korean diplomat to the Gomel oblast is held within the framework of the preparation for a visit of the Korean representative delegation to Belarus in September and October this year. The Ambassador noted that during a meeting with the leadership of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee, the sides discussed the expansion of the cooperation between Korean and Belarusian businessmen mainly in trade and investment areas.

In turn, Deputy Chairman of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee Boleslav Pirshtuk noted that the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has a huge potential. At the same time he noted that trade between the Gomel oblast and the Republic of Korea is not big so far. In 2008, the trade between the Gomel oblast and Korea made up \\$2 million only. The export of the Gomel goods to Korea increased 3.5 times as against 2007. For instance, goods produced by Svetlogorsk-based Khimvolokno were in popular demand in Korea.

According to Boleslav Pirshtuk, the infrastructure of the small and middle-sized business is still in its fledgling stage in Belarus. At the same time, the Gomel oblast is ready to propose its developments in the machine-building industry which has a good research base and skilled personnel.

During the meeting in Gomel, the sides considered the logistics opportunities of the Gomel oblast and more than a hundred investment projects. According to Boleslav Pirshtuk, the Korean businessmen may show their interest in woodworking, production of construction materials, processing industry of the region.

The Korean Ambassador will visit the Administration of the Gomel-Raton Free Economic Zone, the Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble.