Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent

Panaji, Dec 18: Asian countries should strengthen their bonds with each other for mutual economic and cultural benefits, Goa governor S C Jamir said on Monday, while interacting with consul general of South Korea Dong Yern Kim.
           
The consul general had paid courtesy visit to Raj Bhavan.

Jamir further said the 21st century was most likely to become the century of Asian nations and underlined the need for closer ties among the countries of the Continent, be it trade or culture.
     
Jamir also told the consul general that Asian is proud of Korea which is fast becoming the most progressive countries of South East Asia.
  
The governor pointed out that though the government of India looks to the West for trade and commerce, it has, in recent years clearly chalked out its priorities with the introduction of Look East Policy, and that Korea being one of the economic giants of the Continent, it is inevitable that the two countries maintain better economic relations for mutual benefit.
           
Jamir, who originally hails from Nagaland, also stated that in Nagaland, the Korean cable TV channel Arirang has caught up with the Naga youths in a big way and that a Arirang Fan Club has been set up just the other week in Nagaland.

A Korean stall was set up at the Hornbill Festival for the first time at Kisama, the cultural village of the Nagas," the Governor mentioned.

Kim expressed happiness that cultural, economic and diplomatic relations between India and Korea have always been good and hoped that he would be able to take the relations to greater heights.
         
He also said that Korea has large presence in India in the fields of automobiles and electronic gadgets. "Trade between India and Korea is in terms of around 10 billion US dollars," the consul general said.
         
Kim revealed that though in earlier years, cultural ties were limited to Delhi and Mumbai, he hoped to spread the relations to others parts of India.