The South Korean government said Friday it will hold its ninth negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada from Monday to Thursday next week in Vancouver.

The two nations had their first trade talks in July 2005 in Seoul, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

A 60-member South Korean delegation will be led by Choi Kyung-rim, an official at the ministry's free trade bureau, while a 50-member Canadian delegation will be led by Canada's chief trade negotiator Ian Burney.

In an effort to boost exports, the government has been pushing to sign a number of FTAs, including ones with the United States, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

It has already concluded FTAs with Chile, Singapore and the European Free Trade Association.

With Canada, the government is pushing to seal a final agreement by the end of this year. According to local analysts, a free trade accord with Canada would help raise bilateral trade to US$10 billion from the current $5.5 billion.