toclair@ittimes.co.kr
Minister Rho Jun-hyong of Information and Communication met the President of Gabon, El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, at the ceremony of awarding Manhae Peace Prize and had introduced Korea's IT experience and its development on August 10. Here they were able to discuss how the two countries could work in partnership.
Gabon has been showing a strong interest to collaborate with Korean IT in attempt to overcome its limitation of an oil-based economy structure. Korean IT is seeking for a way to contribute to Gabon's industry diversification.
Minister Rho introduced Korea's already built aid channels in Africa. Korea recently established the Africa Information Access Center, IT labor training for foreign investors, and Junior IT Volunteers. The MIC has built Information Access Centers in Egypt, Tunisia, and Nigeria to help shorten Africa's information gap. Approximately 184 Internet Teenage Volunteers have been sent to Africa since 2002 as well. The President of Gabon is scheduled to visit Samsung Electronics and other company where he can have a direct experience of Korean IT within this month. A stronger partnership between African countries and Korea is expected.
