Sejong, Sept 3, 2020, SPA -- South Korea will step up economic cooperation with Central American nations, Yonhap cited Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki as saying today, Thursday. Hong made the remarks as he delivered a message at an online meeting of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the region's multilateral lender, the ministry said in a statement. South Korea and the CABEI should boost cooperation to jointly cope with economic and industrial changes in the post-pandemic era, Hong said. South Korea and Central American nations will strengthen ties throughout various aid programs, Hong said. In January, South Korea became the 15th member state of the multilateral lender. South Korea is set to provide US$112.5 million to the Central American financial institution in the coming years for a 7.6 percent stake, according to the ministry. Founded in 1960, CABEI is aimed at extending loans to private and government-led development projects in the Central America region. --SPA 21:50 LOCAL TIME 18:50 GMT 0022 www.spa.gov.sa/w1403837