During their tour of Central Asia, the Gyeongnam delegation discussed economic and industrial cooperation strategies and signed investment agreements with local companies in Uzbekistan, the last country on their itinerary.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, who is leading the delegation, met with Jamshid Abduxakimovich Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy, on the morning of September 24.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (right), is taking a commemorative photo while shaking hands with Jamshid Abduxakimovich Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
The two leaders exchanged views on economic and industrial cooperation, including high-speed rail vehicle exports, attracting skilled talent, and university exchanges.
At the meeting, Governor Park emphasized, "Korea and Uzbekistan have a strategic partnership. In March, the Uzbek ambassador visited Gyeongnam Province to discuss cooperation in various fields. Gyeongnam is a manufacturing hub for shipbuilding, defense, nuclear power, and aerospace, and local companies such as Hyundai Rotem have significant potential for collaboration in infrastructure sectors like railways."
He continued, "Gyeongnam has an industrial structure that requires skilled labor, so we are very interested in industrial workforce exchanges. As we have signed an exchange agreement between Changwon National University and a university in Uzbekistan today, we will further strengthen our cooperation in nurturing talent."
He also requested the establishment of a technopark in Tashkent Province in collaboration with Gyeongnam, as well as assistance in arranging cooperation between Changwon LG Electronics and companies in Uzbekistan to further expand cooperation between the two regions.
Additionally, he asked that during the Uzbek delegation's visit to Korea in November, they include a visit to Gyeongnam businesses such as Hyundai Rotem, which manufactures high-speed trains exported to Uzbekistan.
Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev said, "We are looking forward to the arrival of Hyundai Rotem's high-speed rail vehicles in December. We also value the cooperation in talent development with Changwon National University, which is visiting with us this time."
He added, "Since Changwon National University is expected to support the construction of a chemical and medical research complex, we will continue to manage this project to ensure its successful implementation."
Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province (left) and Bozorov Lakhmat Khomidovich, Chairman of BNC Global, are holding up the signed memorandum of understanding together. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Before the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Governor Park and the Gyeongnam delegation signed an investment agreement with global aesthetic medical company BNC Global at the Daniel Hill Hotel in Tashkent.
Governor Park and Chairman Bozorov Lakhmat Khomidovich signed a memorandum of understanding that includes expanding exports and strengthening the global competitiveness of Gyeongnam's beauty industry, joint research and development (R&D), cooperation in production and logistics, and the establishment of production and logistics facilities in the province.
BNC Global, headquartered in Incheon, is a foreign-invested Korean company established in 2018 and led by CEO Zaha Joda from Tajikistan.
The company owns more than 20 brands of aesthetic medical products, including fillers, skin boosters, and lifting threads, and exports to over 30 countries, including those in Central Asia. In 2023, it received the "20 Million Dollar Export Tower" award.
At the signing ceremony, Governor Park stated, "Although Gyeongnam has traditionally had a manufacturing-centered industrial structure, expanding into the beauty and medical sectors is crucial for addressing youth employment issues and diversifying industries."
He added, "With global interest in the beauty industry and medical tourism rising, I am grateful to sign this agreement with a promising company like BNC Global. We will provide full administrative support to ensure BNC Global's investment succeeds in Gyeongnam."
After visiting Mongolia and Kazakhstan, the Gyeongnam delegation plans to visit the Uzbekistan Agency for External Labor on September 25 to discuss securing outstanding overseas talent, linking youth employment, and expanding practical workforce cooperation between the two regions.
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