The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, participated in the first business summit dedicated to cooperation between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, which took place in Seoul. Leaders from other countries also attended this event: President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow.
The head of Uzbekistan put forward an initiative to build a partnership based on the complementarity of resources. The goal is for Korean corporations to view Central Asia as a single zone of business opportunities, possessing a population of over 80 million people, growing consumer demand, as well as significant resource, energy, and human reserves.
A press service statement emphasized particular attention to developing industrial cooperation and forming complete production cycles in the region by utilizing the raw material base of each country. For example, Uzbekistan possesses a mineral resource base estimated at at least $3 trillion. In the field of critical minerals, 120 projects are planned in the coming years worth more than $4 billion.
Mirziyoyev also proposed integrating the region's resource base with Korea's financial and technological capabilities. The emphasis should not be on simple raw material export, but on deep processing and the production of high-tech finished products.
According to the President of Uzbekistan, key areas of cooperation should be joint scientific research, the introduction of advanced technologies, and the training of qualified personnel. It was suggested to involve Korean universities, research centers, and companies in the countries of the region to create a common tandem that will be engaged in developing new products while preserving intellectual property rights.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the high potential for interaction in the fields of semiconductor and microelectronics production. A joint Center for Semiconductor Design and Testing, Industrial Microelectronics, and New Materials is being established in Nurafshan based on the Future Technologies Center. Uzbekistan is ready to provide the necessary conditions for hosting research laboratories and units from both Korean and Central Asian companies.
Furthermore, the head of Uzbekistan proposed establishing a biopharmaceutical cluster that would combine production, clinical bases, and scientific research. The market for medical devices and medicines in Uzbekistan has already reached a volume of $3 billion. Primary importance is given to training specialists, including launching a unified regional program for engineering education and organizing their internships at advanced Korean enterprises.
In conclusion, the President invited Korean firms to participate in projects related to copper processing, production of electrical equipment, localization of components for automobiles and electric vehicles, robotics and automation, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, hydropower, energy storage systems, modernization of power grids, as well as the development of transport and urban infrastructure.