South Korea opens Consul-General office in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Dec 23 (IANS) The Consul General office of South Korea was inaugurated here on Friday.

Automobile sector industrialist Jagdip Singh has been made the first honorary Consul General here.

The office will cater to needs of states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, Korean Ambassador to India Cho Hyun said.

Punjab Governor V. P. Singh Badnore was also present at the opening of the new consul general office along with and other dignitaries.

"As an Honorary Consul, Jagdip Singh will work towards further strengthening the collaboration between the two nations; promoting culture, industry and commerce, facilitating investments, educational exchange and enhancing goodwill. The office of the Honorary Consul will also provide limited consular assistance in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and support the Korean citizens within these states," the Korean ambassador said.

"Korea's investment in India also recorded a remarkable increase, with more than $4 billion of FDI being invested. More than 450 Korean companies are currently operating in India and an increasing number of their products are becoming familiar household for Indians. Korean companies are also actively involved in numerous infrastructure projects in India such as highways, subways, and major construction works in power sectors," he added.

Jagdip Singh said that he would work to strengthen India-Korea relations, especially in the trade sector.

"Korea is India's most important trading partner in Asia and our countries share a strategic partnership. I value my deep professional and cultural bond with Korea and look forward to further strengthening our ties in the areas of business, education and culture in the prosperous states assigned to me," he said.

Singh, an entrepreneur, is the Group Chairman of Sigma Group of companies, which is engaged in the manufacturing of automobile components, which are supplied to top automobile manufacturers like Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, General Motors, Ford.