Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking at the first Central Asia–Republic of Korea business summit in Seoul, proposed combining the region's resources with Korean technology and capital. The meeting brought together leaders of all Central Asian states and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
Mirziyoyev noted that the Central Asia–Republic of Korea format is reaching a new level. According to him, the region should be viewed as a single space of opportunities with a population of over 80 million, growing demand, and significant resource, energy, and human potential.
Special emphasis was placed on creating production chains in the region. Uzbekistan possesses a mineral resource base estimated at no less than $3 trillion. In the coming years, 120 projects in critical minerals worth over $4 billion are planned. The president proposed combining the region's resources with Korean technology and finance to move from raw material exports to deep processing and finished goods.
The president noted that the introduction of artificial intelligence could bring at least $10 billion in added value to the region's economies over five years. A hub for AI data centers with investor incentives has already been created in Karakalpakstan. Korean companies are invited to participate in semiconductor and microelectronics projects: a joint Design and Testing Center is being formed in Nurafshan.
Uzbekistan's pharmaceutical and medical device market has already reached $3 billion. The president proposed creating a biopharmaceutical cluster that would unite research, clinical base, and production. Particular emphasis was placed on training specialists. It was proposed to launch a unified regional program for training engineers and organize their internships in laboratories and at advanced enterprises in South Korea.
The president invited Korean companies to participate in projects on copper processing, production of electrical equipment, localization of components for the automotive and electric vehicle industry, robotics, and automation. Projects in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, hydropower, energy storage systems, modernization of energy grids, transport, and urban infrastructure are also on the agenda.
The main idea of Uzbekistan's proposals is to move from individual projects to joint production, technological, and research chains that combine the capabilities of Central Asia and South Korea. Mirziyoyev stressed that Uzbekistan is ready to provide conditions for joint research and investment.
Earlier, at the first Central Asia–Republic of Korea summit in Seoul, the president of Uzbekistan proposed five strategic directions for a new stage of cooperation.
Source: podrobno.uz