Japan’s Sojitz to Invest $1B in Uzbekistan’s Largest Airport Project

Japanese conglomerate Sojitz Corporation will invest $1 billion in the construction of a new international airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in what is set to become one of the largest infrastructure developments in Central Asia.

The ambitious project will be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) with Vision Invest, a leading investment firm based in Saudi Arabia, acting as the primary development partner, The Caspian Post informs via Uzbek media.

The airport is expected to be completed by 2028, with the capacity to handle up to 20 million passengers annually and manage more than 40 flights per hour, positioning it as the largest airport in Central Asia upon completion.

Expanding Sojitz's Global Footprint

Sojitz brings to the table a strong track record in aviation infrastructure, having been involved in airport projects in Kumamoto (Japan), Okinawa, and Palau. Its latest move in Uzbekistan reflects the corporation’s strategic push into emerging markets and its growing commitment to regional infrastructure development.

In addition to the airport, Sojitz is also engaged in several key infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan, including:

The development of an 800-bed modern hospital;

A 1 gigawatt wind power plant;

A 1.6 gigawatt thermal power plant in Samarkand, in collaboration with Türkiye’s Rönesans International.

Uzbekistan: A Magnet for Foreign Investment

Uzbekistan continues to attract growing foreign investment thanks to its rapidly expanding economy, business-friendly reforms, and strategic location. The country boasts a population of over 37 million, an annual GDP growth rate exceeding 6 per cent, a competitive 15 per cent corporate tax rate, and a suite of tax incentives for international investors.

As of October 2024, 54 Japanese companies were operating in Uzbekistan-double the number from 2019. Sojitz further cemented its presence in the country with the opening of its first official office in Tashkent in June 2024, signaling long-term investment plans.

A Strategic Hub in the Making

The Tashkent airport project not only represents a major economic partnership between Uzbekistan, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, but also reinforces Uzbekistan’s rising profile as a regional hub for transport, logistics, and international business.