Tashkent - President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that South Korea will increase support for young talents and startups in Uzbekistan, and foster bilateral exchanges in the field.

According to Yonhap News Agency, speaking at the U-ENTER Entrepreneurship Innovation Center in Tashkent during his three-day state visit to Uzbekistan, the center was established through the Korea International Cooperation Agency's (KOICA) Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, worth US$5.5 million. "The government will fully support the expansion of cooperation and exchange between startups and technical talents of both South Korea and Uzbekistan," Yoon said. He emphasized the importance of fostering new talents in advanced technology and vowed to provide support for the training of professionals through KOICA's youth programs.

"In the era of digital transformation, startups equipped with cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, will lead economic growth," Yoon added. On Friday, Yoon will hold talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss ways to boost bilateral economic ties. In a written interview with Uzbek state news agency Dunyo, Yoon said the summit would focus on strengthening economic ties with Uzbekistan in areas such as mineral supply chains and cutting-edge technologies.

Yoon will conclude his weeklong trip to three Central Asian nations, which also included visits to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and return home Saturday.