Tajikistan and South Korea plan to expand cooperation in critical minerals, industrial infrastructure and new technologies, according to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry and New Technologies (MoINT).
Tajikistan’s Industry and New Technologies Minister Sherali Kabir participated in the first meeting of industry ministers from South Korea and the five Central Asian countries under the “Korea–Central Asia C5+1” format, held in Seoul on September 14.
Representatives of South Korea, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the meeting.
The participants reportedly agreed to expand industrial and trade cooperation and work toward developing sustainable supply chains.
A key focus was cooperation on critical strategic minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements.
Other priorities include increasing trade, establishing industrial parks, developing modern infrastructure, introducing advanced technologies, digitalizing manufacturing and training young technical specialists.
The participants reportedly also expressed interest in combining Central Asia’s raw material resources with South Korea’s technology and expertise in processing raw materials and producing higher-value goods.
According to a MoINT, the new C5+1 mechanism is intended to serve as a permanent platform for implementing joint industrial projects and strengthening South Korea’s economic ties with Central Asia.
Meanwhile, Seoul Economic Daily, citing Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, reports that the ministers agreed to jointly respond to changes in the global trade environment and the restructuring of supply chains.
The first priority is the development of integrated industrial complexes and expanded South Korean participation in smart infrastructure projects to boost trade and modernize industrial infrastructure.
The countries reportedly also agreed to strengthen cooperation on critical mineral supply chains, combining Central Asia’s mineral resources, including lithium and rare earth elements, with South Korea’s advanced processing and materials technologies.
The third area is industrial digitalization and technology cooperation. The countries plan to support the digitalization of factories in Central Asia and promote exchanges among young technical specialists.
Tajikistan–South Korea trade grows nearly fivefold
Bilateral trade between Tajikistan and South Korea has increased significantly in recent years.
Trade turnover reportedly rose from approximately $40.9 million in 2021 to $196.1 million in 2025, an increase of about 4.8 times.
However, trade remains heavily imbalanced. In 2025, the bilateral trade between the two countries consisted of Tajikistan’s exports to South Korea estimated at just $26,500 and Tajikistan’s imports from South Korea worth $196 million.
Over the first six months of this year, Tajikistan imported nearly $116 million worth of goods from South Korea. Automobiles accounted for the largest share, with more than 11,200 passenger vehicles worth $73.1 million.
Other imports included trucks, construction equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, auto parts and other industrial products.
No Tajik exports to South Korea were recorded during the same six-month period.
