Kor-Uz Textile Technopark: Embodying Uzbek Traditions and Korean Innovations in the Textile Industry

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 24 September 2019, the grand opening ceremony of the Textile Training and Research Technopark took place in Tashkent on the territory of the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry. The project is implemented by the Uztekstilprom Association together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea.

An important legal basis for mutually beneficial cooperation is the Memorandum of Understanding, concluded in June 2014 between the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea in the framework of state visits of the President of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan.

Thanks to this, today our countries are actively cooperating in the implementation of various projects, including the creation of the Textile Training and Research Technopark in Tashkent. This direction was not chosen by chance, since the light industry of Uzbekistan is one of the most dynamically developing and socially important sectors of the economy.

The main goals of its creation are the development and implementation of international educational and research programs for implementation at the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry (TITLP); exchange of experience and advanced technologies aimed at the development of the textile industry; transfer of technological know-how and research work in the field of materials science, dyeing and finishing production, design of fabrics and clothes; development of promising technological areas, including with the use of ICT, alternative sources of electricity and others.

The project was funded from grants under the “Official Development Assistance” Program of the Government of Korea with construction and installation work, acquisition and installation of technological equipment, staff training and operation of the Technopark. The project cost is 15 million dollars.

It should be noted that the Technopark has high-tech 4- and 6-story administrative buildings, with an entrance group and office premises between them, as well as a separate 2-story building with a basement for experimental production using energy-saving technologies, with a total usable area over 10 thousand sq.m.

On the territory of more than 4.0 thousand sq.m. 4-storey buildings will accommodate classrooms, conference rooms, exhibition rooms, laboratories, offices, greenhouses and other facilities. Experimental and scientific laboratory on the territory of more than 1.5 thousand square meters accommodate in a 2-storey building, where weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing, sewing equipment will be installed.

The Technopark has a Design Group with the ability to work closely with enterprises of the Uztekstilprom Association to develop and introduce new types of products and design developments.

The opening ceremony of the Technopark was held in the spirit of Korean traditions: Korean national music, vibrant design, fireworks.

The ceremony was attended by a delegation of the Republic of Korea led by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (MTPE) Kim Yongre, who is on an official visit to Uzbekistan on 23-26 September.

Welcoming speeches by E. Majidov - Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (MTPE) of the Republic of Korea Kim Yongre, Management of the Korean Institute for Technology Development (KIAT) Kang Sung Ryung, Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic Uzbekistan I. Majidov, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Uzbekistan Kang Jae Kwon, Chairman of the Uztekstilprom Association I. Khaidarov, President of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KAITEK) Lee Sung I l

Events from the Uzbek side were opened by E. Majidov. Speaking about the long-term mutually beneficial and strategic partnership of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, Elyor Ganiev also noted the great role of Korean companies in the development of the textile industry of Uzbekistan.

The Deputy Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MTPE) of the Republic of Korea Kim Yongre congratulated everyone on the successful implementation of the project, and expressed hope that the Textile Technopark will become one of the leading institutions in Central Asia for the training of highly qualified personnel.

Ilkhom Khaidarov in his speech told what a difficult path has been traveled for the implementation of this project. And thanks to the efforts of the leaders of the two countries, today we were able to create the only Center in Central Asia to train national staff and develop innovations in the industry. Also, Khaidarov noted that, undoubtedly, the opening of the Textile Training and Research Technopark and its commissioning will allow raising the light industry of Uzbekistan to a new level of development and improving the personnel training system for the industry.

I’m listening to the participants of the event, a special video is presented that tells the story of the creation of the Technopark, and a presentation on the topic “Progress and plans for the future of the Technopark” by the director of the Korean Institute of Industrial Technologies (KAITEK) Shim Jae Yoon. Mr. Shim also conducted a tour of the Textile Technopark for the guests of this event.