BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan and South Korea will continue to closely interact within the framework of the "Republic of Korea - Central Asia" Cooperation Forum to promote programs in the areas of high technologies, green and digital economy, Trend reports citing the press service of the president of Uzbekistan.
Online-summit was held on January 28 between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of South Korea Moon Jae-in.
It is reported that speaking about bilateral relations, the leaders of both countries called for further strengthening of the special strategic partnership and expansion of all-round cooperation.
The parties considered the current and prospective programs of interaction in the field of higher, professional and preschool education, health care, digitalization and restoration of cultural heritage objects.
It was emphasized that this year, it is expected to develop investments in the amount of up to $400 million within the framework of ongoing projects with the participation of St. Korean partners.
In addition, 55 new projects are being prepared in high-tech industries worth more than $3.4 billion, including the energy sector, oil and gas complex, chemistry and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, processing industry, agriculture, infrastructure modernization, transport and logistics, tourism.
Also, a high assessment was given to the fruitful cooperation with the Economic Development and Cooperation Foundation (EDCF) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to promote bilateral priority programs.
The parties also paid particular attention to the issues of leveling the imbalance and diversification of the nomenclature of export-import operations, the interaction of phytosanitary services to expand the supply of agricultural products. To this end, the parties will begin negotiations to conclude a bilateral free trade agreement.
President Moon Jae-in reiterated that the St. Korean side will provide all-round support in the issue of Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization.
Furthermore, the parties will continue to closely interact within the UN and other international structures, as well as within the framework of the "Republic of Korea - Central Asia" Cooperation Forum to promote programs in the areas of high technologies, green and digital economy.
The leaders separately focused on cooperation in the environmental sphere, including support for the activities of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region.
As a result of the summit, a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of digitalization was signed in order to promote the fourth industrial revolution, an agreement on the implementation of a three-year program with the EDCF in the amount of $1 billion, loan agreements on projects for the construction of a modern multidisciplinary clinic and a design institute - Center for Chemical Technologies.
In addition, agreements have been concluded on the modernization of important energy infrastructure facilities in our country.
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