KOICA helps Myanmar cope with effects of climate change

BAGAN, Myanmar -- Endless rows of yellow-green, tender young trees soughed in the breeze, churning out rustling sounds across a serene forest in Bagan, Myanmar. A 10-minute walk led to a more exuberant section where taller and lusher eucalyptuses, neems and acacias towered on the backdrop of a mountain. The once barren land is turning into a greener neighborhood for the agrarian residents thanks to assistance from the Korea International Cooperation Agency. A resident waters a tree on June 9 at

June 15, 2016

‘Korea's tech transfers key to Myanmar's reforms’

YANGON, Myanmar -- With Myanmar spurring political, economic and administrative reforms, technological assistance coupled with financial aid from Korea and other industrial powerhouses will help expedite the country’s ongoing transformation, according to a senior official at Myanmar’s ruling party. Hantha Myint, chief of the economic committee within the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi, stressed the significance of technology transfers in the Southeast Asian nation’s agricu

June 14, 2016

Myanmar emulates Korea's rural development model

NAYPYIDAW -- More than a dozen villagers began to dig in the ground and make a stream in the small town of Kyauncone near the capital of Myanmar, as the signature song of the Saemaul Undong resonated, with the lyrics in Korean calling for diligence and cooperation in refurbishing the rural community. Their task was to open drainage ditches and pave the road that has long prohibited the passage of vehicles in rainy seasons. It was intended to take a page from the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movem

June 13, 2016

ASEAN promotes ecotourism at seminar

The ASEAN-Korea Center last week held a seminar to explore opportunities and challenges in ecotourism in Southeast Asia, a region that aims to foster sustainable and inclusive travel.Part of the second ASEAN-Korea Tourism Development Workshop, the venue gathered over 100 representatives from the government, private sector and academia to discuss recent trends and possibilities in the industry. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is promoting a form of tourism environmentally nondestructiv

June 12, 2016

'Gateway to Korea' opens for EU firms

The European Union delegation held a symposium last week to launch the “EU Gateway to Korea” program, aimed at harnessing innovative partnerships between European and Korean enterprises. Funded by the 28-member supranational body, business missions comprised of small and-medium-sized enterprises will visit Korea from 2016 to 2020. They cover technologies in the five industries of green energy, health care and medical, water and environment, food and beverage and construction and building. Seekin

June 12, 2016

Austria welcomes with sounds of music, art

The “Enzis” -- landmark furniture located in Vienna’s Museums Quartiers, representing Austria’s functional and modern design -- are now available at Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Donated by the Austrian National Tourist Office and the Vienna Tourist Board, 12 of the turquoise, sui generis monuments were unveiled at the DDP on Thursday. The unveiling took place during the opening ceremony for “Hello Austria! Hello Vienna,” a three-day event that featured live jazz and dance performance, as wel

June 12, 2016

[HERALD INTERVIEW] ‘Long-term engagement key to investing in Iran’

Following the lifting of international sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program, fresh opportunities have dawned across the country’s vast, rising economy, opening doors to long-term investments, according to the top Iranian envoy to Korea. In an interview with The Korea Herald, Iranian Ambassador Hassan Taherian stressed that in order to make the most out of the second-largest market in the Middle East and North Africa region, Korean companies should have a long-term vision for business engagement.

June 12, 2016

Korea, Cuba break ice for ties

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on Sunday expressed hopes of expanding diplomatic, cultural and economic exchanges with Cuba, after holding landmark first foreign ministerial talks between the two countries.“We shared our opinions on issues ranging from bilateral, regional and global ones. I hope there will be continued exchanges on various levels along with a broad range of follow-up discussions,” Yun told reporters in a joint press interview, after meeting his Cuban counterpart Bru

June 6, 2016

Arab films shine light on dystopian truths

The Arab Film Festival wrapped up its fifth show in Korea last week, exposing the unfaltering spirit of democracy and solidarity in the Middle East and North Africa -- regions that have been marred by dictatorship and violence.“Madame Courage” by Algerian director Merzak Allouache shed light on troubled teenager Omar, who ekes out his living as a street thief in the suburb of Mostaganem. His home is a ramshackle hut that he shares with his mother -- who watches television programs laden with ext

June 6, 2016

Trickling down the benefits of Ceylon tea

In the land of Ceylon tea, Sri Lanka, Merrill J. Fernando takes a humble approach to cultivating and selling his herbal product. The 86-year-old founder and chairman of MJF Group has built a successful enterprise by globalizing Ceylon tea, and he channels the profits back to his country. “Tea was a blessed divine herb in China, but through global business was turned into a material commodity by profit-driven companies,” he told The Korea Herald last week. “I take pride in bringing integrity, fre

June 6, 2016

Turkey, Korea share traditional cultures

 The Turkish Embassy and the Korean Food Foundation jointly organized an exhibition last week, celebrating the gastronomic and wearable traditions of both countries. At the opening ceremony in Seoul on Thursday, traditional Turkish foods, including meatballs wrapped in eggplant and bell peppers, “yaprak salma” (vine leaves stuffed with rice), “borek” (spinach rolls), as well as Turkish alcoholic beverage “yeni raki” were showcased. Also on display were traditional embroideries by Korean designer

June 6, 2016

France, Korea partner in fintech

Celebrating 130 years of diplomatic relations, French and Korean institutions jointly held a seminar last week to explore ways of cultivating the financial technology industry, known as fintech. Part of “La French Tech” initiative -- a French national program to nurture start-ups worldwide -- the event at InterContinental Seoul Coex on May 30 was hosted by the Korean Fintech Center and the French Embassy. It drew some 250 participants, including financial regulators, businesspeople and experts f

June 6, 2016

Foreign Minister Yun visits Cuba to forge ties, pressure N.K.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se kicked off his two-day visit to Cuba on Saturday in a bid to normalize relations between the two countries, marking the first time Seoul’s foreign minister has ever visited the South American country. (Yonhap)South Korea has yet to forge official diplomatic ties with Cuba and economic exchanges between the two have been small. Relations between the two countries were severed after former Cuban leader Fidel Castro overthrew then-leader Fulgencio Batista

June 5, 2016