Central Asia and South Korea Establish New Mechanism for Industrial Cooperation
Economy
Central Asia and South Korea have begun establishing a new mechanism for industrial cooperation. On September 14, Seoul hosted the first meeting of industry ministers from the Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, focused on future cooperation for growth and innovation.
The meeting was held ahead of the first Central Asia–Republic of Korea Summit. Participants included Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov, Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan, and heads of relevant agencies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
The new format is intended to complement political dialogue with a practical agenda covering industry, trade and technology, while strengthening links between Central Asian companies and Korean businesses. The sides had agreed to establish such a mechanism during talks between Kudratov and Kim Jung-kwan in June.
In 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Central Asian countries and South Korea exceeded $10 billion, increasing by almost 10%. In January–July 2026, the figure reached $6.5 billion, up 25%. More than 3,000 enterprises with participation from Korean and regional capital are operating in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan proposed removing technical barriers, mutually recognizing certificates and test results, developing an Industrial Cooperation Programme with specific high-tech projects and creating a unified digital platform for industrial initiatives. It also proposed establishing a permanent expert group at the level of deputy ministers. All of the initiatives received support from the Korean side.
The technological agenda included cooperation on AI in manufacturing, automated quality control, predictive equipment maintenance, energy efficiency and production data analysis. The sides also plan to expand professional internship programmes for engineers and technologists.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum on cooperation in industry and supply chains and the adoption of a joint statement by the Consultative Mechanism of Industry Ministers of the Republic of Korea and Central Asia.
Following the meeting, Laziz Kudratov held talks with Kim Jung-kwan. The sides signed agreements on establishing an Uzbek-Korean platform for the exploration and development of strategically important minerals, as well as on expanding export potential and trade cooperation.
The new format is intended to complement political dialogue with a practical agenda covering industry, trade and technology, while strengthening links between Central Asian companies and Korean businesses. The sides had agreed to establish such a mechanism during talks between Kudratov and Kim Jung-kwan in June.
In 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Central Asian countries and South Korea exceeded $10 billion, increasing by almost 10%. In January–July 2026, the figure reached $6.5 billion, up 25%. More than 3,000 enterprises with participation from Korean and regional capital are operating in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan proposed removing technical barriers, mutually recognizing certificates and test results, developing an Industrial Cooperation Programme with specific high-tech projects and creating a unified digital platform for industrial initiatives. It also proposed establishing a permanent expert group at the level of deputy ministers. All of the initiatives received support from the Korean side.
The technological agenda included cooperation on AI in manufacturing, automated quality control, predictive equipment maintenance, energy efficiency and production data analysis. The sides also plan to expand professional internship programmes for engineers and technologists.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum on cooperation in industry and supply chains and the adoption of a joint statement by the Consultative Mechanism of Industry Ministers of the Republic of Korea and Central Asia.
Following the meeting, Laziz Kudratov held talks with Kim Jung-kwan. The sides signed agreements on establishing an Uzbek-Korean platform for the exploration and development of strategically important minerals, as well as on expanding export potential and trade cooperation.
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