Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol continued negotiations in the presence of official delegations of both countries.

Issues of further development and deepening of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Korea, covering all areas of interaction, were discussed.

The President of Uzbekistan noted that the state visit of the President of Korea to Uzbekistan is an important confirmation of the significant attention to the development of cooperation between the two countries and the region.

The Republic of Korea plays a key role in the dynamic and innovative development of Uzbekistan. There are 726 joint ventures operating in our country in such industries as energy, chemistry, automotive, electrical engineering, textile, food and others. Total Korean investment exceeds US$7.5 billion, and trade turnover reached US$2.5 billion last year.

During the negotiations, the importance of creating a new high-tech agenda for the Uzbek-Korean strategic partnership for the next three years was emphasized.

The head of Uzbekistan took the initiative to declare this period “A new time of high-tech and innovative cooperation between the two countries.”

In this context, governments have been instructed to develop a Strategic Program for the creation of a regional high-tech hub in Uzbekistan.

The following priority areas of interaction have been identified as the “anchor” areas of the Strategy:

1. Partnership in the field of critical mineral resources with deep processing of the resource base and the creation of a complete value chain.

2. Strategic cooperation in the field of semiconductors with plans to create a full-fledged research and production cluster of semiconductor products in Uzbekistan.

3. Full-scale partnership in the chemical industry, including the production of green hydrogen, ammonia and finished rubber products.

4. Deepening cooperation in mechanical engineering, including the launch of production of KIA cars in Jizzakh region and plans for full-fledged production of sedans.

5. Transfer of technologies to create “smart” agriculture and introduce “smart” and “green” technologies, including modern greenhouses based on renewable energy sources.

6. Infrastructure modernization and urban planning program with an emphasis on modernizing transport infrastructure and constructing residential and commercial real estate based on the principles of public-private partnership.

7. Modern and safe energy. To develop promising projects in the field of green energy and increase energy efficiency, the parties agreed to resume the strategic dialogue at the level of energy ministers with their next meeting to be held in the near future in Uzbekistan.

A successful partnership was developed with the Exim Bank of Korea and the EDCF Fund, the total portfolio of joint projects of which has already exceeded US$3 billion. An agreement was reached on new projects worth US$2 billion through the EDCF Fund, including the supply of high-speed electric trains, the implementation of the second stage of the Tashkent Pharma Park project and the equipment of educational institutions.

In preparation for the current summit, a new portfolio of projects in these areas worth US$9.6 billion was formed. Particular attention was paid to the further expansion of cultural and humanitarian exchange.

An example of a successful partnership was the creation of a modern multidisciplinary children's clinic in cooperation with the Korean side. During the negotiations, an agreement was reached to accelerate the preparation and implementation of medical cluster projects, including the creation of a university, a hospital for adults and an oncology clinic.

A long-term program will also be launched to improve the qualifications of medical workers in specialized centers in Korea. Significant experience in cooperation in the field of education has already been accumulated, including hosting the first Uzbek-Korean Rectors' Forum and supporting the creation of an institute based on the model of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Work continues on the opening of a training center for digital technologies and artificial intelligence in partnership with the Korean Institute of Public Administration and the National Institute of Human Resources at the Academy of Public Administration in Tashkent.

Particular attention was also paid to expanding Korean language learning programs and supporting Uzbek citizens in vocational training centers established with the assistance of KOICA in various regions of Uzbekistan.

The parties agreed to hold broad celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan in 2027, including the opening of a museum and library in the House of Korean Culture and Art in Tashkent.

The head of Uzbekistan also noted the significant contribution of the Korean side to the development of Electronic Government, the development of the Digital Uzbekistan strategy, as well as strengthening the potential of the IT park and the creation of U-Enter business incubators.

In the context of this agreement, the parties agreed to expand cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, business process outsourcing and digital technologies. Specific proposals on the fight against corruption, environmental issues, labor migration and other important areas were also discussed.

As a result of the negotiations, the heads of state instructed to develop “road maps” for each of these areas with clearly defined deadlines and mechanisms for their implementation.