Trade ministers of South Korea and Qatar have agreed to enhance cooperation in advanced industries, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) transformation in manufacturing, semiconductor, and biohealth. The two ministers, Yeo Han-koo and Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, met in Seoul to discuss expanding economic and investment ties between their countries. They aim to integrate Seoul’s manufacturing expertise with Qatar’s capital and commitment to industrial diversification for mutual benefit.
Both ministers emphasized the potential for collaboration in AI and robotics sectors, aligning with Korea’s manufacturing AI transformation initiative. Yeo highlighted Korean biopharmaceutical firms’ expansion into Qatar and the investment prospects in local AI chip fabless companies. He also praised Qatar’s resilience amid regional conflicts and reiterated Seoul’s dedication to energy cooperation with the nation.
South Korea recently secured 273 million barrels of crude oil from Middle Eastern countries by the year-end, along with 2.1 million tons of naphtha. This strategic move ensures energy security for over three months based on last year’s consumption levels, reducing the need for emergency measures, as stated by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik.
