Vice President back from Korea

Accra, March 6, GNA-Vice President John Dramani Mahama returned home last evening from the Republic of Korea after a four day official visit at the invitation of government of the Asian country.

He led a high level government delegation made up of Ministers of State, Members of Parliament and businessmen.

Briefing Journalists on the visit at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr. Alban Bagbin, Minister of Water resources, Works and Housing, said during the visit, Korea reaffirmed its commitment to participate in Ghana's socio-economic development.

He said the Vice President reassured the government of Korea of the peace and stability in Ghana which guaranteed a secured foreign direct investment and joined venture partnerships in the country. According to him, the national housing project which consists of 200,000 units of housing all over the country estimated to cost ten billion US dollars, construction and operation of industrial plants, subsidization and improvement of operation Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and vocational training of Ghanaian human resources were being supported by Korean investment. Mr. Bagbin said other potential areas of Korean investment and involvement included shipping, transportation.

According to him, the Ghanaian delegation discussed an EXIM facility with their Korea counterparts after which EXIM bank officials agreed to remove all obstacles to the disbursement of the facility. He said the delegation welcomed the prospect of the visit to Africa including Ghana by the President of the Republic of Korea later in the year. The Vice President was met at the airport by government officials. 6 MARCH 2010