Andeok Geun, Minister of Industry, "Three Central Asian Countries Have High Demand for Industrial Cooperation... Korea Is the Optimal Partner"

On the 17th at Government Sejong Complex
Briefing on 'Key Economic Achievements Related to Jungang-A 3-Country Tour'

Anduk Geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, explained on the 17th that "Central Asia has a high demand for industrial and economic cooperation with our country," highlighting the recent achievements of President Yoon Seok-yeol's tour of three Central Asian countries.

Minister Ahn made these remarks during a briefing on the "Major Economic Achievements Related to the Tour of Three Central Asian Countries" held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day.

Anduk Geun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. (File photo)

He stated, "Central Asian countries, which have so far focused on energy development, are now advancing to a higher level by upgrading transportation, industry, and infrastructure. In this process, they deeply recognize the importance of Korea and are seeking to strengthen cooperation with Korea. Korea has developed its manufacturing capabilities in heavy chemical industries and automobiles, modernizing its industrial ecosystem. In this regard, Central Asian countries perceive Korea as the 'optimal partner,'" he explained.

Earlier, President Yoon toured Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan from the 10th to the 15th. Minister Ahn said, "Central Asia, located in the heart of Eurasia, is rich in resources such as oil, gas, and critical minerals, increasing its strategic value from the perspective of energy resource security. This state visit, accompanied by an economic delegation, was significant in securing supply chains, strengthening economic security cooperation, and concretizing and realizing the 'K-Silk Road' strategy."

Minister Ahn summarized the achievements of this tour into three main categories: ▲winning large-scale projects ▲partnerships in critical mineral supply chains ▲establishing a foundation for trade and investment cooperation. First, with Turkmenistan, support was provided for winning plant projects worth about $6 billion, including the Galkynysh Phase 4 desulfurization facility (basic agreement signed), normalization of the Kiyanly petrochemical plant (cooperation agreement signed), and fertilizer plant and environmental vehicle replacement (order support). With Kazakhstan, four memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed between the government and private sectors in the power sector, including cooperation in the power industry, replacement of environmental equipment at power plants, and small modular reactors (SMRs) for nuclear power. With Uzbekistan, Korea signed a supply contract for high-speed rail vehicles developed domestically and agreed to expand infrastructure cooperation, including an MOU for modernization of the Tashkent district heating facility.

Minister Ahn emphasized, "The Galkynysh desulfurization project is a large-scale project that involves building the entire infrastructure and is considered very important nationally for Turkmenistan. There is potential for Korea to participate and expand the project in the future, and there seems to be many opportunities for us to enter additional projects related to Uzbekistan's high-speed rail."

He continued, "On this occasion, through the 'Critical Mineral Supply Chain Cooperation Partnership' MOUs signed respectively with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, we have established a continuous cooperation foundation in the critical minerals sector by opening dialogues on critical mineral supply chains (led by senior deputy ministers). Along with this, we plan to actively utilize the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) and the Economic Joint Committee as key means to implement the 'K-Silk Road Cooperation Initiative' and deepen cooperative relations with Central Asia."