S. Korean President hails Ethiopia’s economy as ‘model for Africa’

Addis Ababa, July 15,2011 – South Korean President Lee Myung-bak picked Ethiopia as a country that would be a model economy for other African countries in the near future.President Lee made the remark in a speech aired Wednesday through the radio and internet after returning to Seoul wrapping up visits to South Africa, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The South Korean news agency, The Korea Times, quoted the president as saying: “The Ethiopian government and the people are anxious to achieve prosperity”.Lee cited what Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had said during their summit talk that no advanced countries know how shameful Ethiopians feel when forced to ask for help.In order to differentiate South Korea Lee pointed out the nation was an aid recipient country, which became a donor onlytwo years ago.He hinted that Korea understands the situation of poor nations and how they can be self-reliant better than any other government.“Our strategy is that we will follow our own path to provide assistance to them,” Lee said. “As weunderstand the sense of shame they may feel when asking the outside world for help, we will be humble when lending our helping hands”.His remarks came amid Korea’s focusing on “a land of opportunity” for energy diplomacy.“Forget all the myths and preconceptions about the old Africa and prepare for the emerging continent,” President Lee said.Lee pledged that Korea will use a tailored approach to foster stronger ties with Africa which has enormous growth potential.“Africa today is not a war-torn or poor continent. It has a population of one billion with rich natural resources. I witnessed the rise of the large continent during my trip,” he said.“When it comes to the timing of forging a partnership with Africa, South Korea is a late starter, compared with China and other advanced nations,” said Lee.His remarks came against the backdrop of Africa’s heavy reliance on foreign aid, though massive economic assistance has been flowing into the continent.In the past, advanced countries have bolstered ties with resource-rich nations by providing foreign aid and economic assistance but it has not changed the economic reality in Africa. (The Korea Times)