South Korea and Uzbekistan seek to deepen economic cooperation in trade, supply chains, AI, critical minerals and development projects, while accelerating key initiatives ahead of the South Korea-Central Asia summit in September.
South Korea and Uzbekistan are intensifying their efforts to cooperate economically, with top officials discussing how to promote trade and development activities, including those sponsored by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). The discussions revolve around making their cooperation concrete and getting ready for the upcoming South Korea-Central Asia summit to be held in September.
On August 11, South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol receive his Uzbek counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Finance Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, in Seoul. It is the third time that the two have held talks and gives them the chance to discuss existing projects and discover new ones for cooperation.
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The discussion among the authorities involves the ways of increasing bilateral trade while relying on the existing mutual trust between the two states. Total trade between South Korea and Uzbekistan amounts to US$971 million for the first six months of 2026, showing an increase of 22.4% over the corresponding period last year.
Uzbekistan is referred to as an essential strategic economic partner of South Korea in light of developments in the international economic environment and restructuring of the supply chain due to rapid developments in the area of artificial intelligence, according to Koo. The author underlines the importance of concentrating on projects with real results and effective exploitation of the unique features of each country.
These topics become significant spheres of cooperation in the future. South Korea intends to use AI tools in projects implemented by the EDCF in Uzbekistan in order to produce more modern and future-oriented results. The strategy is supposed to combine the technological know-how of South Korea and the increasing need for digital infrastructure in Uzbekistan.
EDCF, which was created by South Korea in 1987, finances projects on economic and social infrastructure in developing nations. The employment of the EDCF in Uzbekistan sets up a template for increasing development cooperation and allows South Korean firms to be engaged in large-scale projects.
Khodjaev states that he is in favor of cooperation in many areas such as AI data centers and critical minerals. At the same time, the Uzbek side is ready to participate in joint projects with South Korean companies.
Minerals are becoming more and more relevant as nations strive to establish reliable supply chains for their advanced manufacturing and clean energy sectors. Collaboration in such an area could offer new chances for investment and development of technology.
Both parties also pledge to expedite their significant joint initiatives before the South Korea-Central Asia Summit due to take place in September. The expediting of such initiatives would ensure that some tangible results are achieved at the summit.
The recent conversations show that South Korean-Uzbekistan relations have evolved from the traditional form of economic relations to a more modern and technologically driven form. AI, critical minerals, supply chain security and infrastructure development are among the key priorities, which have become areas of cooperation for both nations.
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This cooperation will also serve the interest of Uzbekistan’s attempt to lure in foreign technologies and investments along with economic modernization. This collaboration will give South Korea the chance to form supply chain partnerships and increase its business presence in the strategic Central Asian country.
In conclusion, the recent discussions reaffirm the mutual commitment towards turning the bilateral agreements into real projects. By hastening the progress of EDCF projects, fostering trade relations, and cooperation in areas of AI and critical minerals, Seoul and Tashkent plan to build economic relations and foundations for future cooperation.