South Korea, Bahrain eye trade boost amid FTA negotiations

South Korea's Trade Minister, Ahn Duk-geun, held discussions on strengthening bilateral trade and investment with Bahrain's Ambassador, Mohamed Ghassan Mohamed Adnan Shaikho, in Seoul on Friday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The talks centered on enhancing trade relations and a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which Bahrain is a member. The latest negotiations on the FTA took place in February. Trade between the two nations reached a record USD1.6 billion last year. The GCC is composed of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.