Speakers of S. Korea, Brazil discuss promoting economic ties

By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, May 16 (Yonhap) -- Parliamentary leaders of South Korea and Brazil agreed on Monday to put forth efforts to promote economic ties between the two nations through closer interactions at the parliamentary level.
National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae met with Marco Aurelio Spall Maia, the speaker of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, who was visiting Seoul to participate in the G-20 Speakers' Consultation. The three-day parliamentary forum set to kick off on Wednesday comes as a follow-up of the hosting of the G-20 summit in November last year.
"Brazil is advancing into the world market, stepping beyond South America. I congratulate Brazil on having been able to exert strong power based on its large land, big population and abundant resources," Park said. "Although South Korea is small and lacks in resources compared with Brazil, it has excellent human resources. I hope the two nations will hold hands together to explore the global market."
Maia, who took the position in February, said the two nations will play an important role as the leaders of developing nations.
"I am satisfied by the growing trade between Brazil and large South Korean conglomerates, including Hyundai, Samsung and LG," Maia of the Workers' Party said.
South Korea is seeking to launch bilateral free trade negotiations with the South American trade bloc MERCOSUR, as Asia's fourth-largest economy accelerates its move to tap deeper into the region.
MERCOSUR, comprised of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, has a total population of some 260 million and its economic size is estimated at US$2.89 trillion.
Two-way trade volume reached $12 billion in 2008, with South Korea exporting goods worth $6.7 billion to the economic bloc.
During the Seoul forum, attendees, including those from four non-member countries -- Malawi, Spain, the Netherlands and Vietnam -- will visit South Korea's National Assembly and exchange opinions on sustainable economic growth, terrorism and other global security issues, according to organizers.



ejkim@yna.co.kr