Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea Business Summit in Seoul.
The event was also attended by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan reported.
Addressing the summit, Mirziyoyev said the Central Asia-Republic of Korea format is entering a qualitatively new stage. He proposed developing cooperation based on the complementarity of the countries’ capabilities and viewing Central Asia as a single space of opportunities with a population of more than 80 million, growing demand, and significant resource, energy and human potential.
Industrial cooperation and the creation of complete production chains based on the resource base of each country in the region were identified as key areas. According to the president, Uzbekistan’s mineral and raw material base is valued at at least US$3 trillion.
In critical minerals, 120 projects worth more than US$4 billion are planned for implementation in the coming years.
Mirziyoyev proposed combining Central Asia’s resource potential with Korea’s financial and technological resources, with a focus on deep processing of raw materials and the production of finished high-tech goods.
Particular attention was given to joint research, the introduction of advanced technologies and personnel training. Mirziyoyev proposed involving Korean companies, universities and research centres in developing new products and creating corresponding intellectual property.
The development of artificial intelligence was also identified as an important area. According to the assessment presented at the summit, AI could generate at least US$10 billion in added value in each country’s economy over five years. An AI data-centre hub with significant incentives has been established in Karakalpakstan, and Korean companies were invited to invest in the sector.
Semiconductor and microelectronics production was also identified as a promising area. A joint Centre for Semiconductor Design and Testing, Industrial Microelectronics and New Materials is being established at the Future Technologies Centre in Nurafshan. Uzbekistan is ready to provide conditions for Korean and Central Asian companies to establish research units and laboratories.
In biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Uzbekistan proposed creating a biopharmaceutical cluster bringing together research, clinical facilities and production. Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical and medical-device market has already reached US$3 billion, according to information presented at the summit.
The training of specialists was given separate attention. Mirziyoyev proposed launching a regional programme to train engineers and arranging internships for them at laboratories and advanced enterprises in South Korea.
Korean companies were invited to participate in projects involving copper processing, electrical equipment production, localisation of components for the automotive and electric-vehicle industries, robotics and automation, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, hydropower, energy storage systems, modernisation of energy networks, and the development of transport and urban infrastructure.
