Uzbekistan and Korea plan to implement over 120 projects in the field of vital minerals worth more than $4 billion. This was announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the first business conference 'Central Asia – Republic of Korea.'
The parties intend to expand cooperation covering the entire cycle—from raw material extraction to deep processing and production of high value-added products.
It was emphasized that Uzbekistan's mineral resource base is estimated at at least $3 trillion. It was proposed to combine the region's resource potential with Korea's financial and technological capabilities to create a chain from raw material extraction to the release of finished high-tech products.
A joint center for designing and testing semiconductors, industrial microelectronics, and new materials will be established at the Future Technologies Center in Nurafshon. Additionally, a proposal was put forward to create a biopharmaceutical cluster combining research, clinical base, and production.
Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed expanding the partnership beyond the automotive industry and raw material trade to include consumer goods, biotechnology, and digital sectors. He also stated support for regional products entering the Korean market, sending trade delegations to Central Asia, and accelerating the digitalization of customs procedures.
The Korean side also proposed developing full-cycle cooperation in the field of vital minerals—from geological exploration to finished product manufacturing. During the business summit between companies, 19 memorandums of cooperation were signed.
