Tashkent

The presidents of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Republic of Korea, Yun Sok Yol, during extended negotiations involving the delegations of both countries, discussed the formation of a new “high-tech agenda” for a special strategic partnership for the next three years. This was reported by the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed declaring this period the “New Era of High-Tech and Innovative Cooperation between the Two Countries.”

Seven Directions of the Strategy

The governments have been tasked with preparing a strategic program to establish a regional high-tech hub in Uzbekistan. Seven priority areas of interaction have been proposed as the “anchor” directions of the strategy.

1. Partnership in Critical Mineral Resources: “This involves deep processing of the resource base with the creation of a complete value-added chain,” clarified the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.
2. Strategic Cooperation in Semiconductor Industry: “There are plans to establish the first full-fledged semiconductor production cluster in our country in the region,” the statement noted.
3. Comprehensive Partnership in the Chemical Industry: New projects have been prepared for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as the production of finished rubber products.
4. Deepening Cooperation in Mechanical Engineering: This spring, an assembly line for KIA cars was launched in the Jizzakh region. Next year, the start of full-scale sedan production with a capacity of over 60,000 units per year is planned.
5. Technology Transfer in the Development of “Smart” Agriculture: Agreements have already been reached to create modern greenhouse farms and garden complexes in the regions of Uzbekistan based on renewable energy sources.
6. Infrastructure Modernization and Urban Development Program: Korean banks and companies have shown high interest in the modernization of transport infrastructure, designing, and construction of residential and commercial real estate on the principles of public-private partnership.
7. Modern and Secure Energy: To work out 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 and hold their next meeting in Uzbekistan soon.

Other Agreements

The parties noted the successful partnership with the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), the portfolio of joint projects of which has already exceeded $3 billion.

An agreement was reached on new projects worth $2 billion under the EDCF, doubling compared to the previous period, including the supply of high-speed electric trains, the implementation of the second stage of the “Tashkent Pharma Park” project, and equipping educational institutions.

In preparation for the current summit, a new project portfolio has been formed for the aforementioned directions totaling $9.6 billion.

An agreement was reached during the negotiations to accelerate the preparation and implementation of projects in the medical cluster, including the establishment of a university, an adult hospital, and an oncology clinic. In addition, a long-term program will be launched to improve the qualifications of medical personnel in specialized centers in Korea.

The parties noted the accumulated experience of cooperation in the field of education. In March of last year, the first Uzbek-Korean Rectors’ Forum was held. Next year, another meeting will be held.

The presidents supported proposals to establish an institute in Uzbekistan based on the model of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

In addition, the opening of a Center for Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence Training in partnership with the Korean Institute of Public Administration and the National Institute for Human Resources Development at the Academy of Public Administration in Tashkent is being considered.

Attention is paid to expanding Korean language learning programs, including with the involvement of experts from Korea.

Successful training of Uzbek citizens has been noted in the centers for professional education established with the assistance of KOICA in Tashkent, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Fergana, and Urgench. The Korean side expressed support for the creation of a network of such centers in other regions of Uzbekistan with financial and technical assistance.

To further bring the peoples of the two countries together, it has been proposed to declare the next year the “Year of Mutual Exchanges between Uzbekistan and Korea” with the cross-conduct of cultural events.

In 2027, the 90th anniversary of the Korean diaspora’s residence in Uzbekistan will be widely celebrated. The parties agreed to open a museum and library in the House of Korean Culture and Art in Tashkent by that date.

The President of Uzbekistan noted the significant contribution of the Korean side to the development of “Electronic Government,” assistance in developing the “Digital Uzbekistan” strategy, strengthening the potential of the IT Park, and creating U-Enter business incubators.

In this regard, the parties agreed to expand partnership in the field of artificial intelligence, outsourcing business processes, and digital technologies.

Proposals in the areas of combating corruption, ecology, labor migration, and other important directions were also discussed.

The visit of the President of South Korea, Yun Sok Yel, to Uzbekistan began on June 13 and will end on June 15 with a visit to the historical sights of Uzbekistan in Samarkand.

Read: South Korea launches Silk Road Initiative in Central Asia

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on June 14, 2024)  

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Doha

President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, held negotiations with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during his state visit to Qatar, the press service of the President of Kazakhstan reports.

Tokayev referred to Qatar as an important and reliable partner for Kazakhstan in the Islamic world and expressed the opinion that “it is time to give a new impetus to bilateral relations.”

“I propose to elevate the interaction between Kazakhstan and Qatar to the level of a full-fledged strategic partnership. During my visit, important documents will be signed, giving our cooperation a strategic character. We are ready to make every effort to further strengthen bilateral ties,” Tokayev said in a meeting with Sheikh Al Thani.

The Emir of Qatar, in turn, is also confident in the further development of relations between the two countries.

“Today’s negotiations will allow us to monitor the implementation of agreements reached during previous talks and outline plans for the future. In the framework of our interaction, we are interested in implementing energy, trade, economic, and investment projects,” he said.

Tokayev believes that in the near future, Qatar will become one of the top ten largest investors in Kazakhstan. He highlighted the readiness to increase non-commodity exports to Qatar by $250 million across 60 product categories. He also proposed to boost mutual trade to $500 million in the near future.

During the negotiations, issues related to agriculture, transportation, logistics, tourism, and the strengthening of cultural and humanitarian ties were discussed. Tokayev urged the leadership of Qatar to jointly develop an intermodal transport network connecting the Gulf and Central Asia, expand cooperation in the agricultural sector, and organize Kazakhstan-Qatar Culture Days in the capitals of both countries in 2025.

Following the negotiations, nine documents were signed, including agreements on extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a government agreement on the regulation of the employment of Kazakhstani workers in the State of Qatar, a memorandum of cooperation in the field of social protection and development, and agreements on the implementation of energy and gas projects, as well as joint projects in the construction of gas processing plants at the Kashagan field.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on February 14, 2024)

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Beijing

Negotiations between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, took place in Beijing with the participation of members of the official delegations, Uza.uz reports.

The heads of the states noted that over the past years, there has been a powerful breakthrough in bilateral relations.

The growing dynamics of contacts at all levels, the strengthening of political dialogue, and mutual support on key issues were satisfactorily acknowledged.

President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to the Chairman of China for personal attention and support on issues of cooperation in combating poverty in Uzbekistan.

The launch of a pilot project to implement the Chinese vocational education system in Uzbekistan, known as “Lu Ban’s Workshop,” was welcomed by both sides.

The dynamic development of trade, economic, and investment cooperation between the two countries was noted.

Also read: Uzbekistan establishes environmental cooperation with China

The trade turnover reached $14 billion by the end of 2023. There is mutual agreement on the availability of all opportunities to increase the trade turnover to $20 billion in the near future.

In recent years, the volume of Chinese investments in the Uzbek economy has increased fivefold, and the number of joint ventures has tripled.

An agreement was reached on the preparation and adoption of cooperation programs in the fields of infrastructure development, industrial cooperation, technology transfer in agriculture, and “green” energy.

Related news: Why Uzbek President flies to China and what does he intend to discuss?

In this context, it was noted with satisfaction that at the end of 2023, two new solar power stations with a capacity of 1000 megawatts were put into operation in Uzbekistan with the participation of Chinese companies.

High praise was given to the current level of productive financial-technical cooperation with leading Chinese banks, the Silk Road Fund, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Uzbekistan’s leader welcomed agreements on expanding financial instruments to support investment projects, including the creation of a joint platform. Additionally, he highlighted China Exim Bank’s decision to open a regional office for Central Asia in Tashkent.

President Mirziyoyev also called on Chinese partners to actively participate in the privatization processes of state enterprises and banks in Uzbekistan.

Also read: Uzbekistan sign MoU with China on space systems and technologies

Both sides welcomed the activation of interregional exchanges and agreed to establish the Uzbekistan-China Regional Council for coordinating cooperation in this direction.

The importance of commencing practical work on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway was emphasized. This railway is intended to become a crucial component of the Transcontinental Transport and Transit Bridge under the Chinese initiative “One Belt, One Road.”

President Mirziyoyev’s visit to China will last for several days.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on January 24, 2024)

The post Uzbekistan and China to expand strategic partnership first appeared on Sindh Courier.