The primary goal of the forum was to deepen economic ties and open new avenues for collaboration between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.

Established in 1970, the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) is the largest association in South Korea, representing importers across various sectors. KOIMA actively promotes trade relations between South Korea and international markets, focusing on expanding and diversifying imports of goods and services. The organization plays a pivotal role in helping Korean companies find new suppliers worldwide, thus broadening their sourcing options.

Key speakers included Shokhrukh Gulamov, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan; Kim Byung-kwan, Chairman of the Korea Importers Association; and Won Do-yeon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Uzbekistan. They highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to furthering comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and South Korea has more than doubled over the past seven years, rising from $1.4 billion in 2017 to $2.34 billion in 2023. Furthermore, the number of enterprises with Korean capital in Uzbekistan has grown from 359 in 2019 to 670 in 2024, with Korean direct investment in Uzbekistan now exceeding $7.3 billion. 60 joint investment projects totaling $8.8 billion are currently being implemented in Uzbekistan in partnership with South Korean companies.

In the main session, participants explored opportunities for collaboration in the chemical, food, and textile sectors. For the first time, business representatives from both countries jointly reviewed findings and recommendations from market research. Significant export potential was identified for Uzbek goods, including textiles and leather products ($284 million), chemical products ($200 million), non-ferrous metals ($200 million), food products ($153 million), among other items destined for South Korea.

The event concluded with the signing of bilateral agreements and B2B meetings, where participants discussed specific projects and promising investment opportunities.