Cheong "17 Countries Including Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Europe Request Diagnostic Kits Through Government Channels"

Domestic Diagnostic Kit Manufacturers Receive Export Orders from Over 30 Countries... Urgent Export of 51,000 Diagnostic Kits to UAE

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House announced that a total of 17 countries from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe have requested COVID-19 diagnostic kits through government channels.

On the 17th, Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok explained, "Regarding COVID-19, a total of 17 countries have officially requested diagnostic kit support through government channels such as our overseas diplomatic missions or foreign missions in Korea (3 countries in Southeast Asia, 4 in the Middle East, 2 in Europe, 2 in CIS countries, 2 in Central and South America, 2 in Africa, and 2 others)."

Spokesperson Kang added, "A total of 26 countries have requested support for protective equipment including diagnostic kits or the dispatch of health experts, and it has been identified that domestic diagnostic kit manufacturers have received direct export orders from about 30 countries," adding, "Specific contracts will be made at the private sector level."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the first country to export diagnostic kits through the Korean government channel was the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Spokesperson Kang explained, "On the 5th, President Moon Jae-in discussed cooperation measures between the two countries related to COVID-19 during a summit call with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the UAE."

Spokesperson Kang said, "After the summit call, on the 7th, the UAE, which has a ‘special strategic partnership’ with Korea, urgently requested the purchase of COVID-19 diagnostic kits through diplomatic channels, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located the manufacturing company and urgently exported 51,000 diagnostic kits (products from Noble Bio) last weekend."

Spokesperson Kang added, "The UAE, which has a ‘special strategic partnership’ with Korea, expressed deep gratitude for our prompt export and delivery. Negotiations are currently underway to conclude additional supply contracts," and added, "Diagnostic kits are not subject to export restrictions like masks or hand sanitizers, and our companies have the capacity to export."

Spokesperson Kang emphasized, "This first export of diagnostic kits is part of international cooperation related to COVID-19. It shows the direction of ‘COVID diplomacy’ in a situation where international cooperation to respond to COVID-19 is urgent."