Kyrgyzstan plans to build a logistics and transport center in Xi’an, China, according to Hou Song Tao, the Chinese general director of the Kyrgyz-Chinese joint venture Kyrgyz Trans Invest.

He said negotiations are currently underway with the Xi’an city government. As part of the project, Kyrgyzstan is purchasing a 9-hectare plot of land in the city, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kabar.

According to Hou, the new route is expected to become operational before the Kyrgyzstan-China-Uzbekistan railway, which is currently under construction. It will enable multimodal freight transportation by rail from Xi’an to Kashgar.

In addition, 30 trucks are being prepared to transport cargo from Kashgar to Osh, specifically to the southern railway terminal. The vehicles will connect the Chinese and Kyrgyz logistics hubs.

The cargo will then be transported by rail to Osh. Hou said the establishment of the company and construction of a railway terminal in Xi’an would create new opportunities for Kyrgyzstan, allowing it to launch additional routes and increase freight volumes and railway-sector revenues even before the railway officially begins operations.