Bishkek, Sept. 16, 2026 /Kabar/. Today, September 16, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov participated in a special session of the business summit in Seoul as part of the inaugural "Central Asia – Republic of Korea" summit.
The theme of the business summit was "Future Cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Central Asia for Growth and Innovation." The event served as a significant platform for strengthening economic partnerships, expanding trade and investment ties, and forging new business connections among the nations involved.
The head of state described the event as the beginning of a new, practical chapter in relations between the countries.
Sadyr Zhaparov urged participants to shift the focus from discussion to the implementation of concrete joint projects, placing special emphasis on developing business partnerships, attracting investment, and transferring advanced technologies. He stressed that the key benchmarks for the meeting's success should be the number of contracts signed, jobs created, and production facilities launched.
Noting recent positive trends, the president highlighted that the expansion of intra-regional trade, the strengthening of industrial cooperation, and the development of transport infrastructure are making Central Asia increasingly interconnected, resilient, and attractive to long-term investors.
Building on these achievements, President Sadyr Zhaparov proposed focusing the joint efforts of the region's countries and the Republic of Korea on five priority areas for future cooperation.
In this context, he highlighted the energy sector, inviting Korean companies to participate in major energy projects, including the construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 and new hydroelectric power plants, as well as the modernization of existing energy facilities.
Other promising areas include the digitalization of the energy grid, the implementation of modern management systems, and the localization of equipment manufacturing for renewable energy and electric transport.
Sadyr Zhaparov also highlighted the sectors of transport and industrial cooperation. Kyrgyzstan is poised to become a reliable hub providing access to EAEU and Central Asian markets, thanks to the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway; Korean companies are invited to participate in establishing industrial parks and logistics centers along this route.
The head of state also highlighted the tourism and agro-industrial sectors. In this regard, he invited Korean investors to participate in the "Ala-Too Resort" year-round mountain resort project and to help develop hotel and cable car infrastructure.
Furthermore, emphasis is being placed on human capital and digital technologies. Sadyr Zhaparov proposed establishing specialized training centers, developing joint educational programs, and supporting technology startups.
He emphasized that Korea's expertise in artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and innovation—combined with the Central Asian region's young and talented population—could serve as a key driver of a long-term partnership.
In his closing remarks, the president noted that Kyrgyzstan offers a ready-made portfolio of interconnected projects and guarantees "single-window" support, covering everything from the initial investment decision to the launch of production.
The head of state underscored the importance of technology transfer, the localization of production, and job creation. Citing the Korean proverb that "even a sheet of paper is easier to lift when two people work together," President Sadyr Zhaparov expressed confidence that the political will and economic potential of both sides would enable a transition from intentions to concrete results, making the summit a starting point for a new phase of regional partnership.
More than 30 domestic and around 50 Korean companies participated in the event. Ten agreements were signed between them following the business summit.
