S. Korea, Uzbekistan discuss ties in trade, supply chains, EDCF projects

South Korea and Uzbekistan held talks on Tuesday to discuss bolstering economic ties, including trade, supply chains and Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) projects, according to the South Korean finance ministry. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with Uzbek counterpart Jamshid Khodjaev in Seoul to explore ways to generate tangible results from bilateral initiatives and further enhance trade relationships.

The two nations' combined trade volume reached US$971 million in the first half of 2026, a 22.4 percent increase from the previous year. Koo emphasized Uzbekistan's strategic importance for South Korea, given the current uncertainties in the global economy and the reshuffling of supply chains due to AI advancements. The South Korean official stressed the need to pursue mutually beneficial projects, leveraging each country's strengths and potential.

Koo also pledged to apply AI solutions to EDCF projects in Uzbekistan, aiming to create tangible and forward-thinking outcomes that benefit both countries. Khodjaev agreed on the importance of expanding bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in AI data centers and critical minerals. He vowed to support joint projects involving South Korean businesses.

Both countries also agreed to expedite major cooperation projects to maximize the impact of the upcoming South Korea-Central Asia summit in September.