MANAMA: South Korea yesterday stressed that national dialogue was key for development to continue in Bahrain.

This came as His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, held talks with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on joint co-operation.

The Crown Prince stressed Bahrain's keenness to benefit for South Korean success stories and technological prowess.

The South Korean Premier hosted a dinner banquet in honour of HRH the Crown Prince and his delegation.

HRH Prince Salman thanked the South Korean Premier for the hospitality, warm welcome and support for Bahrain's stability, stressing resolve to continue political reform in tandem with economic development under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad.

HRH Prince Salman and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the signing of an agreement on avoiding double taxation and fiscal evasion.

Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa signed the deal on behalf of the Finance Minister, along with South Korean Foreign Minister and Acting Trade Minister Woo-hyun.

HRH Prince Salman also met South Korean General Management and Security Minister and responsible for e-Government Hyung-kyu Maeng and hailed South Korean technological strides and knowledge-based economy.

He stressed the importance of co-ordination between Bahrain e-Government Authority and specialised South Korean organisations, stressing their joint drive to transfer expertise and programmes to Asian, Arab and African countries and assist them in competence-building and drawing up plans.

Hyung-kyu Maeng praised Bahrain's e-Government strides in a short time, hailing HRH Prince Salman's keenness in developing the vital sector.

He also wished success for the new national strategy spearheaded by the Bahrain e-Government Authority, scheduled to be implemented in 2016.

HRH Prince Salman also met key officials from The Korea Transport Institute and heard a presentation on its activities and projects, stressing Bahrain's drive to upgrade its transport infrastructure.

He stressed Bahrain's keen interest to enhance logistics and transport services as well as the establishment of a wide-ranging transport network inside Bahrain and the GCC states.

Institute officials stressed their keenness on promoting co-operation and launching joint ventures with Bahrain.

Present were the Foreign Minister, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro, Crown Prince's Court Advisor for Economic and Political Affairs Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince's Court chief Shaikh Khalifa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Court Advisor Shaikh Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Bahrain Ambassador to China and Non-resident Ambassador to South Korea Bibi Al Sayyed Sharaf.