Uzbekistan advocates Central Asian transport unification

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 7. Uzbekistan has
proposed the creation of a unified transport strategy for Central
Asian countries to enhance regional connectivity and economic
integration, Trend
reports.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, sky-high
transportation costs in the landlocked region – sometimes hitting
the roof at 50 percent of a product’s final price – throw a wrench
in the works of trade and development.

Uzbekistan emphasizes that improving transport links will
strengthen Central Asia’s transit potential and competitiveness. To
achieve this, the country proposes establishing efficient transport
corridors with unified tariffs to facilitate access to key markets.
Additionally, Uzbekistan calls for the creation of an integrated
digital platform for freight transport.

Experts estimate that resolving logistics challenges could
double the region’s GDP within a decade.

Over recent years, Uzbekistan has actively worked to improve
transport links with neighboring countries. Between 2016 and 2024,
the number of flights between Uzbekistan and Central Asian states
nearly doubled, while passenger traffic increased 2.1 times.
Additionally, new international bus routes were introduced, and
previous ones were restored, significantly expanding cross-border
mobility.

Major infrastructure projects have also been implemented. In
2017, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan inaugurated the Turkmenabat–Farab
railway and road bridges over the Amu Darya River. A year later,
the Galaba–Amuzang railway line connecting Uzbekistan’s
Surkhandarya region with Tajikistan’s Khatlon province was
reopened, marking a historic milestone in regional cooperation.
These efforts have led to a significant increase in cargo
transportation between Uzbekistan and its neighbors, with Central
Asia’s share in Uzbekistan’s total freight volume reaching 28
percent in 2024.