PM holds talks on trade with Bulgarian counterpart

SOFIA, Sept. 27 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik held talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Tuesday to discuss ways to boost trade and investment. Kim said in a joint news conference that there is the possibility that the two countries could cooperate in such fields as renewable energy, infrastructure, e-government and agriculture. The two countries could engage in economic cooperation successfully, Kim said in a separate forum with local and South Korean business leaders. At the forum, four South Korean companies signed memorandums of understanding with their Bulgarian counterparts on solar energy, medical equipment and the establishment of e-government. Kim plans to pay a courtesy call to the president of Bulgaria on Wednesday before flying to Ukraine for a similar trip on expanding business cooperation. According to Kim's office, Bulgaria has much growth potential as a gateway for South Korean firms into southeastern Europe, and Ukraine, boasting fertile farmland and advanced aerospace technology, could grow into a viable partner for South Korea in agriculture and aerospace engineering.