<p>The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a renowned UK economic research institute, chose Uzbekistan as one of the top ten countries expected to grow fast in 2011.</p>
<p>It is understood that economic achievements of Uzbekistan have resulted from the intensive industrialization efforts of the economy as well as institutional and political reformation toward a market-based economic system. Achieving independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Uzbek economy has undertaken industrialization and gradual transition into a market-based economy, based on the so-called “Uzbek Model,” which emphasizes the programs and the role of the government. The Uzbekistan government has concentrated its resources on an ambitious plan to develop a modern production system to take advantage of the abundant agricultural products or natural resources such as gold, oil, minerals and cotton. Uzbekistan has also made<br />
efforts to turn its geographic situation of being “land-locked” into an opportunity to expand international trade with future potential markets of China, India, Russia and other countries by rebuilding a modern “Great Silk Road.”</p>
<p>The Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) and Korea Development Institute (KDI) conducted a demand survey with Uzbekistan from October to December 2009, in order to jointly carry out 2010 Strategic Development Partner Country (SDPC) Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP). The SDPC KSP aims at analyzing the socio-economic situation and providing policy alternatives on comprehensive areas of development. The Strategic Development Partner Countries are selected by MOSF, based on Korea’s overall economic and diplomatic policies for future potential for state-to-state cooperation for common development, and mostly on the strong willingness of countries to implement the KSP with Korea.</p>