OMM Redaksiyası
Central Asian countries and South Korea aim to increase annual trade turnover to $20 billion by 2030. This target is approximately twice the record trade volume of more than $10 billion registered last year.
The target was proposed at the first leaders’ summit held in Seoul. During the three-day meetings, the sides signed more than 70 agreements and memorandums of understanding covering energy, mining, infrastructure, technology and investment.
Critical minerals form the basis of cooperation
South Korea is seeking to diversify its energy and critical mineral supplies, while Central Asian countries aim to attract more investment, gain access to new technologies and strengthen ties with global markets.
Central Asia has significant reserves of resources, including lithium and uranium, used in the production of electric vehicles, batteries and electronics. The cooperation is expected to extend beyond the export of raw materials and cover the entire value chain, from exploration and extraction to processing and manufacturing.
Uzbekistan has proposed establishing a joint industrial and technology park, as well as creating a Regional Investment Alliance for Critical Minerals, to attract investment and develop higher value-added production.
Kazakhstan emerges as a key partner
Kazakhstan is being presented as an example of how this cooperation model could develop. According to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the country has deposits of all 10 minerals considered strategic by South Korea.
The sides are discussing cooperation in Almaty on the exploration of rare and rare-earth metals,
The summit reflects growing efforts by Central Asian countries and South Korea to deepen economic ties through investment, industrial cooperation and technology transfer. Central Asia includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, while South Korea is seeking reliable supply chains and new economic partnerships amid rising global demand for critical minerals.
