South Korean Ambassador to Guyana Won-Sun Choi pledged to strengthen ties between his country and Guyana, during a brief ceremony when he presented his credentials this week to President Bharrat Jagdeo.

After the swearing in ceremony, Choi participated in lengthy discussions with the president. He told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that he gave Jagdeo an outline of his intentions to explore the possibilities for cooperation in the private sector. GINA said Choi will not reside in Guyana.

According to GINA, Guyana and the Republic of Korea have enjoyed relations since 1989. In 2005 the two countries signed an agreement for the promotion and protection of investments. The agreement aimed at setting the stage for Guyana to seek investment opportunities in the Korean Republic. Korean investors are also said to be interested in Guyana’s textile, furniture, paper, manufacturing and fisheries industries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and other officials from the foreign ministry also attended the ceremony, GINA said.