After starting the assembly line for KIA cars in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan plans to commence full-scale sedan production with a capacity exceeding 60,000 units annually next year, presidential press service reports on June 14.
The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, continued negotiations accompanied by official delegations from both countries. The discussions centered on further developing and deepening the special strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and South Korea, covering various areas of interstate interaction.
In his opening remarks, President Mirziyoyev highlighted the importance of the state visit, stating,
“We consider your state visit to Uzbekistan at the head of a representative delegation as another confirmation of the great attention to the development of multifaceted cooperation with Uzbekistan and the region.”
Strategic Partnership and Economic Collaboration
During the talks, both leaders emphasized the importance of forming a new high-tech agenda for the Uzbek-Korean special strategic partnership for the next three years.
President Mirziyoyev proposed that this period be declared “a new time of high-tech and innovative cooperation between the two countries.”
Governments have been tasked with preparing a Strategic Program to establish a regional high-tech hub in Uzbekistan. Several priority areas were proposed as anchors for this strategic cooperation:
Critical Mineral Resources Partnership: Focus on deep processing of the resource base to create a complete value chain.
Semiconductor Cooperation: Plans to establish the region’s first comprehensive research and production cluster for semiconductor products.
Chemical Industry Partnership: Projects include the production of green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as finished rubber products.
Smart Agriculture: Initiatives to digitalize agriculture and introduce smart and green technologies, including modern greenhouses and garden complexes powered by renewable energy.
Infrastructure Modernization: Korean banks and companies showed high interest in modernizing transport infrastructure and developing residential and commercial real estate based on public-private partnerships.
Energy Development: Resumption of strategic dialogue at the ministerial level to develop green energy projects and enhance energy efficiency.
Cultural and Humanitarian Exchange
The discussions also highlighted the expansion of cultural and humanitarian exchanges. President Mirziyoyev acknowledged the successful partnership in creating a modern multidisciplinary children's clinic with the Korean side. Agreements were reached to accelerate medical cluster projects, including establishing a university, a hospital for adults, and an oncology clinic.
The parties also discussed expanding Korean language learning programs and establishing a Center for Training in Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence at the Academy of Public Administration in Tashkent, in partnership with the Korean Institute of Public Administration and the National Institute of Human Resources.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
To further strengthen bilateral ties, next year will be declared the “Year of Mutual Exchanges between Uzbekistan and Korea,” featuring cross-cultural events.
The leaders acknowledged Korea’s contributions to developing electronic government, the Digital Uzbekistan strategy, and strengthening the IT park's potential. They agreed to expand partnerships in artificial intelligence, business process outsourcing, and digital technologies.
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