Uzbekistan is considering participating in the construction of a railway linking Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with Türkiye, which would provide access to the Turkish ports of Samsun and Istanbul.

The issue was discussed at a meeting chaired by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the implementation of major transport and logistics projects, The Caspian Post reports, citing the Uzbek presidential press service.

The meeting included a presentation on the development of logistics infrastructure involving Uzbekistan at the Caspian Sea ports of Aktau, Turkmenbashi and Baku, as well as the Black Sea ports of Poti and Anaklia. An agreement has already been signed to establish a logistics center at the port of Poti, and a feasibility study for the project is being prepared.

“Opportunities for [Uzbekistan’s] participation in the development of the Anaklia port [in Georgia], as well as in the construction of the Nakhchivan railway, which will provide access to Türkiye’s Samsun and Istanbul ports, are also being studied,” the statement said.

The projects are expected to diversify routes for delivering Uzbek textile, chemical, agricultural, mining and metallurgical products 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,” the statement added.

The meeting also reviewed projects to construct and modernize airports. New airport complexes with a combined cost of nearly $3 billion are currently under construction in Tashkent and Bukhara.

Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of clearly defining project implementation timelines, funding sources and expected outcomes. Relevant officials were given corresponding instructions.