South Korea's exports to the Middle East increased 3.5 percent from a year earlier in the first quarter, the industry ministry said Wednesday.
Outbound shipments to the region have been on a steady increase, advancing 4.7 percent on-year in 2024, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The ministry partly attributed the increase to strong demand for plants in the region, which accounted for 71 percent of all overseas plant construction orders secured by South Korea in the January-March period. The corresponding figure for the first quarter of 2024 stood at 45.5 percent.
The trend was reported at a forum on South Korea's Middle East policy, hosted by the ministry.
In the forum, Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said the country has achieved a "tangible outcome" through its strategic cooperation with the Middle East.
Seoul plans to expand trade cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, he added. (Yonhap)
