BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 16.
South Korea and Central Asian countries have agreed to strengthen
industrial cooperation and develop sustainable supply chains
through the creation of a consultative mechanism of industry
ministers in the "C5+1" format.


According to the press service of the Kyrgyz
president, the agreement was outlined in the Seoul Declaration adopted following the first South
Korea–Central Asia Summit.


According to the information, the leaders welcomed
the establishment of the mechanism and the signing of a memorandum
of understanding on cooperation in industry and supply chains
between South Korea and the five Central Asian states, agreeing to
expand practical cooperation and build an institutional framework
for economic engagement.


"The leaders emphasized the importance of
diversifying trade by expanding the range of goods from both the
Republic of Korea and Central Asian countries, while simultaneously
boosting production capacities and fostering mutually beneficial
and complementary trade and investment through consultations aimed
at removing non-tariff barriers for the shared prosperity of the
Republic of Korea and Central Asian nations," the declaration
says.







The sides also emphasized the need for consultations
aimed at removing non-tariff barriers to facilitate economic
cooperation.


According to the declaration, the establishment of
specialized Korean Desks within the government structures of
Central Asian countries, along with agreements on customs
cooperation and mutual assistance, would contribute to simplifying
trade procedures, attracting investment and improving the business
environment.


Meanwhile, the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea
Summit is being held in Seoul on September 16-17. The summit brings
together the leaders of South Korea and the five Central Asian
countries - Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan - marking the first elevation of the Korea-Central Asia
dialogue to the leaders’ level. Seoul has said the summit is
intended to deepen regional cooperation and produce practical
results for the participating countries.