By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Korea co-hosted the Korea-Uzbekistan Insight Forum at the Embassy in Seoul on May 13.

The forum was held with the participation of both countries’ governments and related institutions, aiming to further enhance Korea-Uzbekistan economic cooperation.

Forum participants shared the growing need for mutual cooperation between the two countries in view of their special strategic partnership, highlighting the importance of tangible cooperation in not only trade and investment but also in promising future industries such as supply chains, energy, infrastructure, and cutting-edge technologies.

Korea’s Director General for International Trade Relations Kim Jong-chul noted the rapidly changing internal and external trade landscape, stating that the two sides will maintain efforts to establish a forward-looking cooperation base in order to achieve concrete outcomes.

Ambassador Alisher Abdusalomov of Uzbekistan to Korea proposed the development of a long-term joint strategic program for bilateral partnership in advanced technology and innovation, underscoring the importance of continued efforts to carry out official development assistance (ODA) projects in Uzbekistan to expand opportunities for Korean companies’ global supply chain entry.

The two governments plan to strengthen policy communication and cooperation in various areas going forward by actively leveraging bilateral channels including the Korea-Uzbekistan Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation.