Tajikistan Commits $5B to Transform Central Asia into Global Transit Hub

Tajikistan has invested $5 billion into the Eurasian Transport Framework (ETF), according to a new report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), underscoring the country’s commitment to enhancing cross-border connectivity and positioning Central Asia as a key global transit corridor.

The ETF envisions a network of integrated east-west and north-south transport corridors across Eurasia, enhancing both domestic logistics infrastructure and transcontinental trade routes, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

According to EDB analysts, total investments from all participating countries have reached $234.1 billion, with Russia contributing the lion’s share at $137.1 billion. Tajikistan stands among the more prominent investors, demonstrating its ambition to modernize infrastructure and boost its role in regional trade.

The ETF project includes 13 nations: Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Afghanistan, Belarus, and Azerbaijan.

At the lower end of the investment spectrum, Belarus and Azerbaijan have allocated $1.2 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

Analysts note that the ETF will play a transformative role in increasing the volume of international and transit freight traffic across Eurasia. For Tajikistan, it presents a strategic opportunity to capitalize on its geographic position by developing into a regional transport and logistics hub.

The initiative is expected to not only improve trade flows, but also stimulate economic development, job creation, and broader regional integration.