Korea–Central Asia Business Partnership Held… Export Contracts Worth $14 Million Signed

A venue for business exchange has been prepared to strengthen economic cooperation between South Korea and Central Asian countries. At the '2026 Korea–Central Asia Business Partnership' held in Seoul on September 16, practical contract achievements were derived between companies from both regions.

According to KOTRA TV footage, approximately 200 1:1 business consultations were conducted during this event, and a total of 16 export contracts worth approximately $14 million were signed. This is interpreted as a case of connecting the economic cooperation stance of the recently held First Korea–Central Asia Summit to concrete achievements on the ground in companies.

Expanding Win-Win Partnerships Linking Resource Security and ODA

Beyond simple commodity trade, this event discussed multifaceted cooperation methods utilizing the strategic value of Central Asia. In particular, the linkage between the value of resource security held by Central Asian countries and Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects that share South Korea's economic development experience was cited as a core task.

An official appearing in the video defined ODA projects as a "win-win partnership that opens up our country's economic development experience and know-how to build a foundation so that recipient countries can become self-reliant." In particular, mentioning Uzbekistan's 'Southern Modernization KST Project' as a successful case, they emphasized that for successful cooperation, the organic linkage of locally tailored strategy design, policy, technology, and systems is essential.

Expanding Opportunities for SMEs to Preoccupy the Central Asian Market

Domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) focusing on the high potential of the Central Asian market also participated actively. Participating companies formed a consensus that Central Asia holds a high level of interest in Korean culture and is a market with great value for preoccupying for future brand growth.

An official from a company that exports products to the Middle East and the United States stated, "We participated in this event to expand exports to Central Asia," adding, "Through the opportunity to meet local buyers directly, we are considering market entry." Additionally, evaluations emerged that through KOTRA's support, the qualitative level of buyers is high, which is of great help for practical exports from the perspective of SMEs.

KOTRA plans to help companies enter local markets by providing not only technical support but also financial support in parallel, as well as operating promotional booths, so that domestic private companies can succeed in overseas investment projects.