On December 10, Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province met with Jamshid Abduxakimovich Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Uzbekistan, who visited the provincial government office, to discuss expanding cooperation in the economic and industrial sectors.
This was their second meeting since they last met in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in September. The two leaders exchanged views on topics such as high-speed rail and the creation of joint industrial complexes.
Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province (left) and Jamshid Abdukhakimovich Khojayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan for Economic Affairs, are shaking hands and posing for a commemorative photo. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
According to Gyeongnam Province, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev stated, "I believe that cooperation between Gyeongnam and Uzbekistan at the local government level is very beneficial and practical," emphasizing, "This visit is an important signal of our determination to further strengthen cooperation."
He officially announced, "I hope both sides will proceed with concrete business and cooperation plans, and I propose the establishment of a joint industrial complex for Gyeongnam companies in Uzbekistan."
He also expressed expectations for expanded cooperation in new fields such as aerospace, robotics, short-term visa cooperation, and industrialization policies utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
In response, Governor Park said, "We will thoroughly review the proposal to establish a joint industrial complex and believe it is desirable to form a working group to proceed with discussions."
He also stated that Gyeongnam will conduct a preliminary survey through its business community on companies interested in entering Uzbekistan and on preferred industries, and will begin working-level consultations with Uzbekistan based on the findings.
Additionally, he noted, "Gyeongnam, which is home to Korea's leading manufacturing, defense, and shipbuilding industries, will actively cooperate with Uzbekistan, a country with dynamic growth potential in Central Asia."
He further highlighted the significance of the inaugural high-speed train departure ceremony by Hyundai Rotem and promised full administrative support for railway technology exchanges and stable vehicle supply.
Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province is having a conversation with Uzbek delegation members, including Deputy Prime Minister Abdihakimovich Khojayev. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Exchange between Gyeongnam and Uzbekistan began in earnest on March 14, when Alisher Abdusalomov, the Uzbek ambassador to South Korea, officially proposed a friendship exchange agreement with Tashkent Province during his visit to Gyeongnam.
Subsequently, a Gyeongnam delegation led by Governor Park paid an official visit to Tashkent Province on September 24, held talks with Governor Zoyir Mirzayev, and signed the first official friendship exchange agreement.
This visit by the Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister to Gyeongnam is a follow-up to the friendship exchange agreement and marks the second high-level visit after the October 14 delegation led by Bekhzod Musaev, Head of the Uzbek Agency for External Labor, for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the introduction of seasonal workers.
Abduhakimov Hojayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, is speaking to Governor Park Wan-soo at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
On this day, after meeting with the governor, the Uzbek delegation toured major industrial sites in Gyeongnam.
They first visited the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation’s Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters to learn about the current status and development of industrial complexes in the province.
Next, they visited Hyundai Rotem and attended the inaugural high-speed train departure ceremony, which took place about a year after the signing of a contract in June last year between Uzbekistan and Hyundai Rotem for the supply and maintenance of a total of 42 high-speed train cars (six trainsets).
They then visited LG Electronics to observe advanced home appliance technologies in Gyeongnam and attended a welcome dinner hosted by the Gyeongnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association, where they discussed practical business cooperation with local entrepreneurs.
Gyeongnam Province assessed that the discussions with the delegation marked a concrete first step toward economic and industrial cooperation with Uzbekistan.
The province also expressed expectations that this would serve as an important foundation for the two regions to move beyond simple exchanges and build a strategic partnership to jointly pioneer the new Silk Road economic zone.
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