The Gyeonggi Province invited ambassadors from five countries including Egypt and United Arab Emirates, along with their spouses to a Gyeonggi Forum. 

Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Kim Moon-soo is continuously making great efforts to build friendly relationships with every corner of the world.
Right after his visit to China, Governor Kim invited ambassadors from five countries in the Middle East and Africa, such as Egypt, Unites Arab Emirates, Morocco, Lebanon, and Sudan for a “Gyeonggi Province PR Forum” held in the SME Center, Suwon, on April 27th.
This forum was prompted by some comments made by the Ambassador of the UAE, Abdullah Al Mina, on a visit to Gyeonggi Province on January 30th, when he pointed out the relatively less active exchange between Gyeonggi Province and the Middle East and Africa.

In his opening speech, Governor Kim said, “Korea holds a large interest in the rapid growth of the Arab world, including that of Dubai, and I think Korea and countries in the Middle East and Africa have now become a lot closer, thanks to Korean companies making inroads in these countries” and added “Due to geographical distance and cultural difference, there has not been active cooperation between the two regions so far, but we will strive to strengthen our friendly relationship with you.”
Governor Kim continued, “We have affirmed our friendly relationship with Maharashtra Province, India in March, and this demonstrates our expanding cooperation,” adding “We have to go beyond India towards the Middle East and Africa if we are to truly realize our vision of “Gyeonggi Province with the world.”
In response, the Ambassador of Egypt said, “What best sums up Governor Kim’s message of welcome was his Arabic greeting of ‘Assalamu alaikum (may peace be upon you)” and added, “I feel endless pleasure in knowing that Governor Kim places great importance on cultural exchange between Korea and the Arab World.”
The Ambassador mentioned, “I was deeply impressed by the technology of KIA Motors, which I saw in the Hwaseong plant I visited yesterday, and Korea’s rapid success in such a short period of time is an inspiration to the Arab countries” and added, “Congratulations on Korea’s remarkable success and thank you for giving me the precious chance to get to know about Gyeonggi Province.” 

At the lunch that followed, the Lebanese Ambassador, Hussein Rammal,, suggested that Gyeonggi Province establish a Middle East Cultural Center to the participants.
This forum was participated by around 20 guests, including the ambassadors of five countries and their spouses, Chairman of Middle East Association of Korea Han Deok-kyu, Secretary General Choi Jin-young, and Professor of Arabics, Hankook University of Foreign Studies, Gong Ji-hyun.
After the forum, the ambassadors and their spouses went together to Icheon, to attend the opening ceremony of the 4th World Ceramic Biennale 2007 Korea.