Automotive industry, tourism and an $8 billion program: the president held meetings with representatives of South Korean companies

**Automotive industry, tourism, and an $8 billion program: President held meetings with representatives of South Korean companies**

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as part of the business program of his visit to South Korea, held meetings with representatives of Lotte Group, the Export-Import Bank, Hyundai Motor Group, Kia Motors, and Hyundai Rotem. This was reported by the president's press service.

During the meeting with Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, the leader of Uzbekistan emphasized that the company is one of the largest Korean investors in the country, with productive cooperation carried out over many years.

The successful operation of the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex was particularly noted.

Issues of implementing development projects in Uzbekistan based on advanced Korean technologies and prospects for developing cooperation in the field of copper foil production were discussed.

The President supported the company's plans to manage tourism centers in the country and improve the quality of services in the hotel business.

In conclusion, an agreement was reached to establish a working group to monitor the implementation process of bilateral projects.

The meeting with the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Hwang Ki-yeon, was also attended by the President of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Kwon Yi-kyun, and the Deputy Director of the Institute of Materials Science, Bum Sung Kim.

The long-standing and productive cooperation with the bank and its funds in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, critical materials, education, and transport was noted with satisfaction.

The head of state supported the signing of a new $8 billion cooperation program. Additionally, issues of accelerating projects for the supply of high-speed trains, establishing a Biocenter, processing critical minerals, and developing digital technologies were reviewed.

Special attention was paid to opening a Women's Entrepreneurship Center in the Aral Sea region and attracting Korean financial institutions and companies to the project for constructing a new railway on the Tashkent—Samarkand route.

The parties noted with satisfaction the launch of a joint fund to finance projects in the field of strategically important minerals.

It was proposed to study the issue of establishing a center for the development and testing of semiconductors and new materials.

The importance of ensuring the active participation of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources and the Korea Institute of Rare Metals in these projects was emphasized.

The President of Uzbekistan held a meeting with the President of Strategy at Hyundai Motor Group, Kim Song, Senior Vice President of Kia Motors, Cho Sang-woon, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hyundai Rotem, Lee Yong-bae.

The contribution of the group of companies to the development of the automotive and transport sectors in Uzbekistan was highly appreciated.

Issues of expanding production at the automotive cluster established in Jizzakh and increasing the level of localization of automotive components were reviewed.

It was noted with satisfaction that a full production chain for Kia cars is being established and export volumes are increasing. Special attention was paid to starting the production of new car models and launching a pressing shop.

Prospects for establishing the assembly of electric and hybrid vehicles were also reviewed.

High-speed Hyundai Rotem trains began operating on the Tashkent—Khiva route, cutting travel time in half. Issues regarding the supply of additional trains by the company were discussed.

The importance of establishing a Hyundai Rotem service center in the country, localizing the production of components, and studying the issue of producing magnets for electric motors was emphasized.