The President of Uzbekistan Participated in the First "Central Asia – Korea" Business Summit
Economy
Continuing his visit to Seoul, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, participated in the first "Central Asia – Republic of Korea" Business Summit.
The event was also attended by the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung; the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov; the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon; and the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
After warmly welcoming the summit participants, the President of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction that the "Central Asia – Republic of Korea" format is currently reaching a qualitatively new level.
The Head of State proposed building cooperation based on the principle of complementary potential, encouraging Korean companies to view Central Asia as a unified space of opportunity—featuring a population of over 80 million, growing demand, and significant resource, energy, and human potential.
Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation and the creation of complete production chains within Central Asia, leveraging the raw material base of each country. For instance, Uzbekistan possesses a mineral and raw material base valued at a minimum of $3 trillion.
Plans are in place to implement 120 projects worth over $4 billion in the critical minerals sector over the coming years.
A proposal was made to combine the region's resource base with Korea's financial and technological capabilities, shifting the focus from raw material exports to deep processing and the manufacture of finished high-tech products.
Joint research, the adoption of advanced technologies, and workforce training were identified as key areas of focus. It was proposed to attract Korean companies, universities, and research centers to the region and to establish a unified partnership for developing new products with associated intellectual property rights. Particular attention is being paid to artificial intelligence, a sector capable of generating at least $10 billion in value-added across national economies within five years. To this end, a hub for AI data centers offering significant incentives has been established in Karakalpakstan, and Korean companies have been invited to invest in this field.
The potential for cooperation in semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing was highlighted. A joint center for the design and testing of semiconductors, industrial microelectronics, and new materials is being established at the Future Technologies Center in the city of Nurafshan.
Uzbekistan is prepared to provide facilities for Korean and Central Asian companies to set up research and development units and laboratories.
Significant potential exists in the development of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Uzbekistan’s market for medicines and medical devices has already reached $3 billion. A proposal has been made to create a biopharmaceutical cluster that integrates research, clinical facilities, and manufacturing.
A key priority is the training of specialists; this includes launching a region-wide engineering training program and organizing internships for engineers at Korean laboratories and leading industrial enterprises.
Korean companies have been invited to participate in projects involving copper processing, electrical equipment manufacturing, the localization of components for the automotive and electric vehicle industries, robotics and automation, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, hydropower, energy storage systems, power grid modernization, and the development of transport and urban infrastructure.
After warmly welcoming the summit participants, the President of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction that the "Central Asia – Republic of Korea" format is currently reaching a qualitatively new level.
The Head of State proposed building cooperation based on the principle of complementary potential, encouraging Korean companies to view Central Asia as a unified space of opportunity—featuring a population of over 80 million, growing demand, and significant resource, energy, and human potential.
Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation and the creation of complete production chains within Central Asia, leveraging the raw material base of each country. For instance, Uzbekistan possesses a mineral and raw material base valued at a minimum of $3 trillion.
Plans are in place to implement 120 projects worth over $4 billion in the critical minerals sector over the coming years.
A proposal was made to combine the region's resource base with Korea's financial and technological capabilities, shifting the focus from raw material exports to deep processing and the manufacture of finished high-tech products.
Joint research, the adoption of advanced technologies, and workforce training were identified as key areas of focus. It was proposed to attract Korean companies, universities, and research centers to the region and to establish a unified partnership for developing new products with associated intellectual property rights. Particular attention is being paid to artificial intelligence, a sector capable of generating at least $10 billion in value-added across national economies within five years. To this end, a hub for AI data centers offering significant incentives has been established in Karakalpakstan, and Korean companies have been invited to invest in this field.
The potential for cooperation in semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing was highlighted. A joint center for the design and testing of semiconductors, industrial microelectronics, and new materials is being established at the Future Technologies Center in the city of Nurafshan.
Uzbekistan is prepared to provide facilities for Korean and Central Asian companies to set up research and development units and laboratories.
Significant potential exists in the development of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Uzbekistan’s market for medicines and medical devices has already reached $3 billion. A proposal has been made to create a biopharmaceutical cluster that integrates research, clinical facilities, and manufacturing.
A key priority is the training of specialists; this includes launching a region-wide engineering training program and organizing internships for engineers at Korean laboratories and leading industrial enterprises.
Korean companies have been invited to participate in projects involving copper processing, electrical equipment manufacturing, the localization of components for the automotive and electric vehicle industries, robotics and automation, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, hydropower, energy storage systems, power grid modernization, and the development of transport and urban infrastructure.
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