Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 28 January, an online conference "The international economic situation in the post-COVID era: prospects for the development of cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the countries of Central Asia" was held.

Representatives of South Korean ministries and departments, as well as expert circles of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan took part in the virtual dialogue, organized by the Institute for the Study of Eurasia and Turkic Peoples at Dongduk University, together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking as one of the keynote speakers, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sanjar Valiev noted the symbolism of this event, which is taking place in parallel with the online summit of the Presidents of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Republic of Korea Moon Jae In.

The expert noted that even in a changing external environment, Uzbek-South Korean relations invariably maintain dynamism and a high level of interaction. This non-conjuncture "all-weather" cooperation is a solid foundation for further expansion and deepening of the special strategic partnership established by the countries.

The high interest of the South Korean participants was aroused by the results of the socio-economic development of Uzbekistan presented by the speaker in the context of the pandemic in 2020. It was noted that the plans and priorities for further reforms, outlined by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his Address to the Oliy Majlis, serve as guidelines for developing joint long-term cooperation programs.

In this regard, the deputy head of the ISMI outlined the prospects for expanding Uzbek-South Korean cooperation in the scientific and technological sphere, modernizing the healthcare system, "digital education", "green" economy, industrial cooperation, infrastructural development, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties.

In turn, the director of the Institute for the Study of Eurasia and Turkic Peoples at Dongduk University, Professor Yngyeong Oh, emphasized that, despite the epidemiological situation and the introduction of restrictive measures, Uzbekistan and South Korea demonstrated a high level of trade and economic ties in the past year. In her opinion, Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Moon Jae In play an important role in the development of bilateral cooperation.

Analyzing the current problems of the world economy and their impact on Central Asia, the former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kazakhstan Baek Joo Hyun suggested identifying promising areas of cooperation between Seoul and the countries of the region. In his opinion, the regional cooperation policy initiated by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev helps to strengthen mutual trust, systemic dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation in Central Asia, opens up new opportunities for the implementation of large investment projects in the countries of the region.

In this regard, the representative of the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Corporation (KOTRA) Park Ji Won pointed out that today the countries of Central Asia are moving away from the raw material model of economic development and are increasingly betting on the development of industrial potential. This creates favorable conditions for South Korea’s active interaction with the countries of the region.

For example, the measures taken by Uzbekistan to digitize the country can be fully supported by South Korean investments, experience and specialists. The implementation of projects such as the introduction of smart city technologies creates new promising areas for bilateral cooperation.

According to the South Korean expert, "Uzbekistan has endless opportunities for the development of economic cooperation." Of great interest, he believes, is interaction in the development of logistics infrastructure, the medical equipment industry, and digital technologies.

The conference participants also focused on the presence in Central Asia of a huge potential for cooperation in the development of alternative energy sources, agriculture and rational water use.