Tajik, S. Korean presidents discuss trade, economic cooperation
DUSHANBE. Sept 16 (Interfax) - Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have discussed an expansion of trade and economic, investment, energy and technological cooperation, the Tajik presidential press service said.
The talks were held in Seoul as part of Rahmon's official visit to South Korea and participation in the first Central Asia - South Korea summit.
The sides discussed the strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations, Rahmon said that Tajikistan and South Korea had laid a legal foundation for developing cooperation.
Trade, economic cooperation, investments, industries, energy, transport, logistics, digitalization, technologies, artificial intelligence, agriculture, labor migration, environmental protection and tourism were named the priorities.
The sides noted the importance of drawing South Korean investments and technologies into projects in Tajikistan.
They also supported the proposed opening of an office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Tajikistan. Emphasis was put on the activity of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and the assistance of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) in expanding trade and economic cooperation.
The sides welcomed the first Tajik-South Korean forum on critical minerals and the presentation of Tajikistan's potential for investing in mineral processing, which took place in Seoul in August.
The participation of Korean institutions and investors in strategic projects in Tajikistan, including the continuation of the third stage of the project developing rural areas of Tajikistan, which both sides had been implementing since 2021, was also discussed at the talks.
Rahmon noted South Korea's role in the implementation of social programs in Tajikistan, personnel training, and human capital development through educational and academic programs. The Tajik side proposed that the number of state education quotas be increased for Tajik citizens, including in such areas as IT, artificial intelligence, medicine, aviation, and engineering.
Cooperation in tourism, including the development of tourism infrastructure and direct flights between Tajikistan and South Korea, was a separate item on the agenda.
Financial support for construction of the main building of the Republican Cancer Research Center and cooperation in the initiative called Prospects of the Central Asia - Korea Partnership in Artificial Intelligence, Science and Technology were addressed at the talks.
In addition, the presidents discussed cooperation in mitigating climate change, including the rapid melting of glaciers, the implementation of environmental programs, and the preservation of biodiversity.
In conclusion, the sides exchanged views on certain items on the regional and global agendas.
Rahmon invited Lee to visit Tajikistan at a convenient time, the press service said.
