A. The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea share many historical and cultural characteristics. I always wanted to visit your country and receiving an invitation from the President of Uzbekistan H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been a great privilege and honor for me.
Under the outstanding leadership of President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has been at the forefront of changes and innovations in Central Asia. Uzbekistan’s economic indicators, including gross domestic product, GDP per capita, balance of payments, and foreign direct investment, have been steadily growing year by year. The market with its high growth potential, high-quality human capital, and geopolitical value, makes it a very attractive place for doing business and investment by international companies. Before my arrival, I looked at Tashkent from the above [Plane] and witnessed how dynamic Uzbekistan is.
As part of “Uzbekistan — 2030” strategy announced last year, the country is carrying out reforms in political, economic, and social spheres, achieving great results. Specifically, Uzbekistan stimulates its economy by setting concrete targets such as joining the World Trade Organization, liberalizing the economy, attracting foreign companies, and implementing comprehensive reforms across society, including combating corruption and ensuring the rule of law.
The Republic of Korea, which was once a country of absolute poverty, achieved economic and social development by opening up to the outside world, liberalizing its economy, and fighting corruption in close cooperation with the international community. Building on this experience, the Republic of Korea supports Uzbekistan’s efforts in implementing reforms and, being a special strategic partner, will continue to collaborate closely in the social, economic, and democratic development of Uzbekistan.
A. Since taking office in 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pursued a bold policy of reforms and openness that has transformed Uzbekistan into an entirely new country.
A series of measures to liberalize the market, including currency policy liberalization, reduction of customs duties, and restructuring of state-owned 카지노 enterprises, enabled the revival of the Uzbek economy and improved the investment climate: last year, foreign direct investment (FDI) volume increased by 96.4 percent totaling $7.68 billion.
Since establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1992, the Republic of Korea has expanded its spectrum of economic cooperation, including such areas as car making, energy, household appliance production, textiles, finance, and telecommunications.
In 2019, bilateral relations were elevated to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership, the only one in Central Asia, and bilateral trade volume reached a record $2.46 billion last year. Today, relations between our countries are more mutually beneficial than ever before.
As the world faces a complex global crisis, I believe this represents simultaneously an opportunity for further diversification and deepening of bilateral economic cooperation, including the development of critical mineral supply chains. I look forward to tangible outcomes from the negotiations between our governments and businesses during this visit.