Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Launch Visa-Free Cross-Border Trade Zone “Shavat–Dashoguz”

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have officially opened the Shavat-Dashoguz cross-border trade zone, where citizens of both countries can now enter without a visa.

The new trade zone was launched remotely by Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Serdar Berdimuhamedov, marking a major step toward deepening regional economic cooperation, The Caspian Post informs via Turkmen media.

The visa-free regime also applies to stateless persons legally residing in either country, making logistics and customs procedures significantly easier.

The joint trade center spans 6 hectares-3 hectares on the Uzbek side and 3 on the Turkmen side. Officials note that the area could be expanded in the future through a separate international agreement between Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region and Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz province.

Uzbekistan’s Minister Laziz Kudratov and Turkmenistan’s Minister Nazardurdy Agahanov have already finalized the legal framework for the zone’s operation. The project is designed to boost bilateral trade, promote national products, and support entrepreneurship on both sides of the border.

According to the ministry, the new zone will allow businesses from both countries to trade freely using shared infrastructure and simplified procedures. The marketplace includes 112 trading rows, 28 shops, and 16 retail points across two main blocks.

The launch of Shavat-Dashoguz is being viewed as a pilot project, and both presidents have already discussed expanding this model. New cross-border hubs are being considered in Alat (Bukhara region) and Farab (Lebap province).