{
  "id": 7093888,
  "title": "Hana Bank Eyes Central Asia Expansion with Uzbekistan as Regional Hub",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/hana-bank-eyes-central-asia-expansion-with-uzbekistan-as-regional-hub",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-13T10:56:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Korea IT Times",
    "slug": "korea-it-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=157069"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hana Bank is intensifying its expansion efforts in Central Asia, with Uzbekistan identified as a key regional hub for its financial network. On September 13, the bank signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, signaling a strengthened partnership for mutual investment and financial cooperation. This agreement was made prior to the first Korea-Central Asia Summit, set to occur in Seoul on September 16, as economic ties between South Korea and Central Asian nations continue to grow.\n\nUnder this agreement, Hana Bank and the Uzbek ministry will collaborate to spot potential financial cooperation opportunities in Uzbekistan and facilitate the bank's entry into the local market. The two entities also aim at supporting Uzbekistan's financial sector development and promoting increased investment and trade between businesses in both countries. For Hana Bank, this partnership is part of a larger initiative to position Uzbekistan as a gateway to Central Asia, rather than treating it as an isolated market.\n\nThe bank is preparing to open a representative office in Uzbekistan, which will be operational later this year. The office will initially concentrate on investigating the local financial market, forging business networks, and identifying financing and investment opportunities within Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, boasting one of the largest populations and domestic markets in Central Asia, has recently gained significant interest from South Korean companies exploring opportunities in the region. The increased corporate activity could also generate demand for cross-border financing and other financial services.\n\nHana Bank intends to leverage its collaboration with the Uzbek government to assist South Korean firms entering the market and to lay the groundwork for its future expansion across Central Asia. A Hana Bank representative expressed optimism, stating that the agreement will further strengthen their cooperative relationship with the Uzbek government and identify projects that can contribute to financial and economic growth for both nations. The official added that Uzbekistan will serve as a strategic base for Hana Bank to expand its global network and financial capabilities across Central Asia.",
  "summary": "Hana Bank is stepping up its push into Central Asia, choosing Uzbekistan as a strategic base for expanding its financial network and identifying new business opportunities across the region.The bank said on Sept. 13 that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investmen",
  "key_points": [
    "Hana Bank targets Uzbekistan as Central Asia's financial hub.",
    "Memorandum of understanding signed with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment on September 13.",
    "Bank plans to open representative office in Uzbekistan later this year."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}