As preparations intensify for the first-ever Korea-Central Asia Summit this September, South Korea and Uzbekistan are moving to strengthen economic cooperation in some of the world’s fastest-growing strategic sectors.

Senior officials from both countries recently held high-level talks in Tashkent focused on expanding collaboration in critical minerals, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced manufacturing technologies, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

During the visit, Bae Jun-hyoung, Director General for International Trade Relations at South Korea’s trade ministry, met with Uzbekistan’s Vice Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade and representatives of the Uzbekistan Fund for Reconstruction and Development.

The discussions centered on boosting bilateral cooperation in sectors that are increasingly vital to global supply chains, including critical minerals used in batteries, semiconductors, and clean-energy technologies.

Bae also highlighted opportunities for joint projects in AI, digital manufacturing, and supply chain resilience, emphasizing the growing importance of the South Korea-Uzbekistan ties in shaping the region’s economic future.

For Uzbekistan, cooperation with South Korea offers access to advanced technologies, expertise, and investment that can accelerate the country's industrial transformation.

The economic dialogue comes as Uzbekistan pushes ahead with major infrastructure projects. Earlier reports revealed plans to build a new international airport in New Tashkent with an annual capacity of 20 million passengers, a key component of the country's ambitious civil aviation expansion strategy.