By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Uzbek Ambassador to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov visited Daegu City Hall on Feb. 5 to discuss exchange and cooperation with Daegu City Mayor Hong Jun-pyo.

The city signed a city of friendship and cooperation agreement with Bukhara Province, Uzbekistan, in August 2022, and has been conducting exchanges in the fields of trade and culture.

Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a country of ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ with the largest Korean diaspora of 172,000 people.

The country is considered highly competitive in the energy sector, with the world's 10th largest uranium reserves and abundant mineral resources, including crude oil.

"Daegu is an important partner with many excellent companies and advanced industries such as smart cities," Ambassador Abdusalomov said during his meeting with Mayor Hong.

In response, Mayor Hong said, "Korea and Uzbekistan have been cooperating in various ways, including mutual visits by high-ranking officials."

"We will continue to strengthen close exchanges and cooperation not only in people-to-people exchanges, but also in economic fields such as business entry and trade support," he said.

On Feb. 6, Ambassador Abdusalomov visited the Daegu Chamber of Commerce, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone Authority, and Kyungpook National University to discuss ways to help Daegu companies enter the Uzbek market.