QUETTA: South Korea has offered to import copper worth Rs6 billion annually from Balochistan.

Ambassador Dr Song Jong-hwan made this offer in separate meetings with Governor Balochistan Mohammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri on Friday.

Honorary Consul-General of Korea Shama Perveen Magsi, Senator Agha Shahbaz Durrani and other senior officials were also present in these meetings.

Dr Song said that investors and the Korea Import Associ­ation would be infor­med about investment opportunities in the various sectors of the province.

The ambassador discussed setting up of a steel mills in Chagai. Signing of a free trade agreement between Pakistan and Korea was also discussed as it would pave the way for Korean investment in Balochistan.

He showed keen interest in mineral sector and said that Korea was using around 50,000 tonnes of copper in different industries monthly and was importing copper from Chile.

He said that South Korea has to spend more on freight for importing Chilean copper due to long distance between the two countries.

“We can import Rs6bn copper annually from Balochistan,” he offered in the meeting.

Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri assured that his government would extend all possible help and cooperation to Korean investors.

He also thanked the Korean ambassador for providing assistance worth $200,000 for rehabilitation of Awaran earthquake victims. He expressed the hope that Korean government arrange more training programmes for officers of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2016