Minister of Trade , Industry and Energy Joo Hyunghwan ( left ) and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al - Thani discuss furthering the Korea - Qatar economic partnership , in Doha on April 2 . By Lee HanaPhotos = Ministry of Trade , Industry and Energy Korea and Qatar have agreed to further expand their economic partnership . On April 2 , Minister of Trade , Industry and Energy Joo Hyunghwan held a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al - Thani , Minister of Economy and Trade Ahmed Al Thani and Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Sada in Doha to discuss ways to diversify their strategic trade partnership . " The signing of a free trade agreement ( FTA ) between Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) will help to turn over a new leaf for trade and investment levels , " said Minister Joo . He suggested that the countries begin negotiations in the near future . Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al - Thani agreed that the partners should speed up the process of negotiation , saying that Qatar would bring together the other GCC member states -- Saudi Arabia , UAE , Kuwait , Oman and Bahrain -- to bring discussions to the table . Minister of Trade , Industry and Energy Joo Hyunghwan ( left ) and Qatari Minister of Economy and Trade Ahmed Al Thani discuss the signing of a free trade agreement ( FTA ) between Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) , in Doha on April 2 . Based on the Qatar National Vision 2030 national development plan , the two countries will expand cooperation on manufacturing , renewable energy , IT , healthcare and smart farming . This year , Korea will hold an advisory council meeting for representatives from Qatar to share information about manufacturing , the incubation of small and medium - sized businesses , and policy management . Annual ministerial meetings , as well as a task force that includes private and joint corporation on trade and investment , will be launched in the upcoming year . Moreover , Qatar invited Korea to participate in several large - scale construction projects worth some USD 3 . 3 billion , including the development of the Zekreet gasoline pipeline and a freshwater generation plant . " Back in 1978 , Hyundai Engineering & Construction helped to build the Sheraton Hotel in Doha . Since then , Korean businesses have been actively involved in a number of Qatari construction projects . We welcome Korea to place a bid for two of our newest projects , " said Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Sada . hl 2423 @ korea . krCopyright ⓒ 1999 - 2013 KOCIS . All rights reserved .