The session was dedicated to Uzbekistan's important achievements in improving road, rail and air infrastructure. This sphere stimulates trade, boosts local economy and creates jobs. The participants reviewed six investment projects based on public-private partnership in road and railroad construction and the Urgench airport concession with a total estimated investment of $18 billion.

The panel discussions also featured the New Tashkent project, approved by the President of Uzbekistan in 2024, which aims to transform 6,000 hectares to create a modern urban space for approximately 1 million residents. The first phase of the ambitious project involves the construction of apartment buildings, schools, kindergartens, a hospital and a polyclinic.

The participants discussed the main factors of investment attractiveness of infrastructure projects, their impact on the economy of Uzbekistan, as well as related challenges and opportunities.

The session was moderated by Ankit Chaturvedi, representative of Synergy Consulting Infrastructure and Financial Advisory Inc.

Speakers:

Jasurbek Choriev, Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan

Bakhrom Rizaev, Deputy Director of "New Tashkent" Directorate

Amir Dalerov, Executive Director of Zarmed Pratiksha

Jasurbek Choriev, in turn, told why it is important to invest in the transportation system.

"The first thing is economic growth. Transportation infrastructure plays one of the main roles in the economy, linking businesses to the market, providing transportation of people and products. Improved infrastructure increases sales, investment, job creation and, of course, economic growth. The second is efficiency of production. The transportation system lowers prices by making distances closer. This is especially important for Uzbekistan, whose two-way access to the sea is limited. The third is affordability. Investments in the transportation system help towns and villages get vital services to their residents, creating jobs," he said.

The deputy minister of transport said that work on the Tashkent-Andijan toll road is almost completed

"By the end of June, we will complete feasibility work. The new toll road will help connect Tashkent and other regions with the Fergana Valley. The total length of the project will be 314 kilometers and its cost will be 4.65 billion dollars," Jasurbek Choriev said.

In addition, information was given about the trans-Afghan railroad, which has been one of the main goals for a long time.

"The project will help link three countries-Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The railroad plays an important role in creating a Eurasian transportation corridor. As a result, Central Asian countries will have access to the Indian Ocean port. The railroad reduces the delivery time of goods from 35 to 5 days. And the cost of goods delivery will be reduced by at least 40 percent. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Another important project, of course, is the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad. This will be a railroad that will play a big role in the development of not only Uzbekistan, but the whole of Central Asia. The main agreements on the project have already been reached, its cost is about 5.1 billion dollars, and its length is expected to be 454 kilometers by now," the first deputy minister of transport said.

In addition, Jasurbek Choriev noted that after the successful realization of the Samarkand airport project, Urgench airport is also planned to turn into a public-private partnership project.

During the session, Bakhrom Rizaev announced preliminary data on the "New Tashkent" project. Construction of a number of ministries, universities, cultural and social facilities will begin in the city with a population of more than 1 million people in 2024-2025.