Uzbekistan Charts Bold Course to Become Central Asia’s Transit Hub

Uzbekistan is rapidly advancing its transport and transit infrastructure, tackling the challenges of being a landlocked nation through major strategic initiatives and international cooperation aimed at reducing logistics costs and enhancing regional connectivity.

Head of the Department at the Uzbek Center for the Study of Transport and Logistics Development Problems Dildora Ibragimova highlights that landlocked Central Asian countries face high transport costs, with Uzbekistan’s freight expenses reaching up to 60 per cent of cargo value-well above the global average of 11 per cent, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkmen media.

To address this, Uzbekistan is implementing significant infrastructure projects, including the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railways, which will create shorter, more efficient trade corridors linking China, Europe, and South Asia. Experts predict these corridors could cut transport costs by up to three times.

Since 2012, Uzbekistan has been digitizing its TIR customs system, facilitating international transport permits and streamlining border crossings with Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. This digital modernization simplifies customs and enhances cross-border trade.

The country also prioritizes diversification of transport corridors such as “China-Central Asia-Caucasus-Europe” and “CIS-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan,” providing critical access to the Indian Ocean and expanding trade options.

Key goals include standardizing transport regulations, unifying documentation, expanding containerization, and leveraging digital platforms to eliminate regional trade barriers.

Uzbekistan emphasizes collaboration with neighboring countries including Turkmenistan, Iran, Türkiye, and CIS members to strengthen transit potential and support sustainable economic growth in Central Asia.