KOICA to transfer development strategy to Afghanistan

Posted Jun. 24, 2010    ShareThis

 Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) revealed that announced that some 20 government officials from Afghanistan visited Korea early this month to receive special training ion the country’s reconstruction.

The training, which went on from June 7 to 16, is part of an even bigger reconstruction project that Korea plans to launch in Parvan Province of Afghanistan, starting from this July.

The visiting officials included Public Health Director Mohammad Qasim Saeedi of from Parvan Province and other county officials from the same region. They took courses that looked into Korea’s own industrial development in of the past, future prospects for the agriculture industry and rural development movement known as “Saemaeul Undong” among others. The training was provided by KOICA’s international cooperation center and Rural Development Administration.

The Parvan delegation also took special lectures on how to strengthen administrative power, aid welfare and medical care, enhance vocational training and boost the potential of rural areas and its their agriculture. For on-site inspection they visited promotion sites of Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motors, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Paik Hospital of Inje University, all of which  that all boasted up-to-date facility and resources.

“We are also seeking to identify the exact demands for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan and establish an effective communication channel with the locals which who can later help large-scale reconstruction projects that will take place in the future,” said one of the KOICA officials who will take part in the new Afghanistan project.

Korea will dispatch its Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to Afghanistan made up of about 460 staff on July 1 to assist the country in its efforts to eradicate poverty and realize growth in social and economic sectors.

By Kim Hee-sung
Korea.net Staff Writer