On June 9, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Bae Jun-hyung, Director of Trade Cooperation, is currently visiting Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where he met with government officials, including the Deputy Minister of Investment and Trade and the Chair of the Reconstruction and Development Fund (UFRD).
This visit aims to review the economic cooperation achievements between the two countries ahead of the Korea-Central Asia Summit. During the meeting, Bae discussed ways to expand cooperation in key minerals, artificial intelligence (AI), digital manufacturing, and industrial complexes. He also requested support for projects related to supply chains and advanced industries between the two nations.
Uzbekistan, the most populous country in Central Asia, is actively promoting the development of its manufacturing sector and diversifying its industries. With its abundant mineral resources and growth potential, the presence of South Korean companies in Uzbekistan has been steadily increasing.
Particularly, Uzbekistan is rich in strategic minerals such as copper, molybdenum, tungsten, and uranium, making it an important partner for South Korea, which is seeking to diversify its supply chains. The strategic value of Central Asia has also risen amid recent export controls on rare earths by China and the acceleration of global supply chain restructuring.
On the same day, Bae held a luncheon meeting with South Korean companies operating in Uzbekistan. The discussion focused on addressing challenges faced by these companies, including investment, permits, and infrastructure issues. They exchanged views on supporting stable business operations and improving the investment environment for South Korean enterprises.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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