Progress on major transport and logistics projects reviewed

The rapid growth of the country’s economy, increasing industrial production and expanding foreign trade require the consistent development of transport infrastructure. One of the key priorities in this area is to transform Uzbekistan into a major hub along the shortest land route from the Pacific Ocean to Europe and expand access to international markets.

By 2030, it is planned to double the volume of transport services, attract $9.1 billion in investment to the sector and increase service exports to $5.7 billion. During the presentation, the infrastructure projects being implemented to achieve these goals, their implementation timelines and issues requiring solutions were discussed.

First, the President was presented with information on the construction and modernization of airports.

New airport complexes with a total value of nearly $3 billion are being built in Tashkent and Bukhara. In its first phase, the New Tashkent International Airport will be designed to serve 20 million passengers annually. Public-private partnership agreements have been signed as part of the project, and work is underway to prepare the construction site and relocate utility networks.

At the new Bukhara International Airport, airfield infrastructure is under construction. An international tender is also being held to attract a private partner for the construction and management of the passenger terminal.

The Head of State also reviewed the progress of projects to modernize airports in Urgench, Namangan and Andijan. These projects are expected to increase airport capacity and expand opportunities to provide passenger services in line with international standards.

Particular attention was also paid to the development of road infrastructure.

Last month, construction began on the Tashkent – Samarkand toll road, valued at $2.2 billion. The country’s first toll road, connecting Urgench and Khiva, has been put into operation.

During the presentation, the financing of subsequent stages of the Tashkent-Samarkand project, the identification of investors for the Tashkent-Andijan and Tashkent-Charvak toll roads, and measures to launch practical work on these projects were discussed.

The President was also briefed on proposals to increase the capacity of the railway network.

Currently, a number of railway sections along major transit routes are operating at high capacity. Growing volumes of industrial freight and the introduction of new high-speed trains will further increase the load on existing infrastructure.

In this regard, measures to modernize the Maktaaral-Syrdarya, Angren-Pap, Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan, Tashkent-Samarkand and Tukimachi – Angren railway sections were reviewed. The President noted that a $100 million investment in these projects could increase the capacity of these railway sections by 25–30 percent.

Officials also presented reports on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the development of a separate high-speed railway line between Tashkent and Samarkand, and projects to expand and electrify the railway network in the regions. Proposals to renew the freight wagon fleet and more actively involve the private sector in this process were also discussed.

Particular attention was paid to the development of international transport corridors and expanding access to global markets through seaports.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented with information on ongoing efforts to establish logistics infrastructure with Uzbekistan’s participation at the Caspian Sea ports of Aktau, Turkmenbashi and Baku, as well as the Black Sea ports of Poti and Anaklia. In particular, an agreement has been signed to establish a logistics center at the port of Poti, and a feasibility study for the project is being prepared. Opportunities for participation in the development of the port of Anaklia are also being explored.

Proposals for Uzbekistan’s participation in the construction of the Nakhchivan railway, which will provide access to the Turkish ports of Samsun and Istanbul, were also discussed. These projects will help diversify routes for supplying textile, chemical, agricultural, mining and metallurgical products to foreign markets.

The Head of State also noted the need to expand the network of logistics centers within the country to make effective use of international transport corridors.

He was presented with information on the implementation of directives to specialize the cities of Khanabad and Angren, as well as Yangiyul, Akhangaran, Alat and Termez districts, in transport and logistics activities. Seventeen projects to establish logistics centers and terminals are planned in Tashkent city and the Tashkent, Andijan, Surkhandarya and Bukhara regions. Their location, financing, infrastructure requirements and measures to attract investors were discussed.

During the presentation, particular attention was paid to the digitalization of freight transportation and measures to reduce the shadow economy in the sector.

The President noted that the share of the shadow economy in freight transportation still exceeds 42 percent. Among the key challenges are the absence of a unified register of domestic freight vehicles and a single electronic system integrating electronic orders and transport services.

In this regard, officials proposed creating a unified digital transport system, establishing a register of carriers and introducing an aggregator for receiving electronic waybills and orders. Measures to expand the exchange of electronic permits and introduce real-time cargo tracking in international transportation were also considered.

These measures are expected to create greater convenience for carriers, bring informal services into the formal economy and enhance transparency in the sector.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of clearly defining the implementation timelines, funding sources and expected outcomes of the presented projects, as well as ensuring their coordinated implementation.

The President issued relevant instructions to responsible officials on the issues discussed.