SEOUL, August 30. /Dunyo IA/.  On the eve of the 35^th Anniversary of the Independence of Uzbekistan, Roh Jun-Hyung, President and CEO of “LOTTE Corporation”, extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan through Dunyo IA:

- It is a great honor for me, on behalf of LOTTE Corporation, to convey my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Uzbekistan on the momentous occasion of the 35^th Anniversary of State Independence.

Over the past three and a half decades, Uzbekistan has traversed a long and honorable path toward establishing a modern state, achieving significant milestones in reinforcing its economy, developing industry and infrastructure, improving the well-being of its population and preserving its unique historical and cultural heritage. Today, the country is confidently entering a new stage of its development, grounded in large-scale transformations, openness, economic modernization and active international cooperation.

In my view, one of Uzbekistan's primary competitive advantages is its human potential. A young, educated and driven population, rich natural resources, a favorable geographical location, and a steadfast political will to sustain reforms create a solid foundation for long-term and sustainable growth. Driven by these factors, Uzbekistan is now increasingly and firmly establishing itself as one of the key centers of economic growth and investment attraction in Central Asia.

For “LOTTE Corporation”, Uzbekistan is not merely an important market, but a reliable long-term partner. We are bound by many years of experience in cooperation grounded in mutual trust, respect and a commitment to achieving shared goals. We take pride in contributing to the development of the country's economy and the strengthening of ties between the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan.

Successful implementation of such major joint projects as “Uz-Kor Gas Chemical” convincingly demonstrates the efficiency of combining the rich resource and economic potential of Uzbekistan with the advanced technologies, management experience, and industrial competencies of the Republic of Korea. In turn, the operation of the “LOTTE City Hotel Tashkent Palace” contributes to the development of modern tourism infrastructure, international business exchange and humanitarian contacts between our countries.

We see significant potential for the further expansion of cooperation. Promising areas, in my view, include the high-tech industry, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, the development of the “green” economy, modern services, tourism and hospitality, as well as education and the training of highly qualified personnel. The combination of Uzbekistan's young and talented human capital with the technological, innovative, and entrepreneurial capabilities of Korean companies has the potential to unlock new horizons for mutually beneficial partnership.

Special attention should be paid to the policy pursued by Uzbekistan to strengthen good-neighborly relations and expand regional cooperation in Central Asia. In the modern world, where states face complex economic, technological and global challenges, no single country can fully address them alone. Therefore, building trust, connectivity and practical cooperation among the countries of the region is of paramount importance. A more stable and integrated Central Asia means new opportunities for trade, investment, infrastructure development and international business.

I am convinced that consistent reforms, openness to the world, and the creation of a favorable business environment will continue to strengthen Uzbekistan’s international standing. In the next 10-15 years, in my view, the country possesses all the necessary prerequisites to become one of the most dynamically developing economic and investment hubs not only in Central Asia but also across the broader Eurasian space.

Continuous development of modern infrastructure, the introduction of advanced technologies, the support for innovation and entrepreneurship, the enhancement of the quality of education, and the creation of new opportunities for youth will play a key role in this process. It is precisely investments in human capital, knowledge and technology that will determine the competitiveness of nations in the future.

“LOTTE Corporation” highly values the established partnership relations with Uzbekistan and looks to the future with great optimism. We intend to further explore new opportunities to expand our presence and implement joint projects, create long-term value for the economy and society and facilitate the development of business and humanitarian ties between our countries.

In this landmark jubilee year, I wish to convey once again to the brotherly people of Uzbekistan my wishes for peace, well-being and continued prosperity. I am confident that ahead for Uzbekistan lie new achievements, new opportunities and new horizons. And for “LOTTE Corporation”, it will be a great honor to continue this journey together with Uzbekistan, remaining its reliable and long-term partner.