The government of Uzbekistan has announced plans to revitalize Urgench International Airport through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at enhancing its infrastructure and management capabilities. This move is part of Uzbekistan's broader reform program to modernize public sector investments and services across various sectors, including transportation.
Urgench International Airport, located near the historic city of Urgench in Uzbekistan's Khorezm Region, plays a crucial role in connecting passengers domestically and internationally. Serving as a gateway to Uzbekistan and beyond, the airport facilitates tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. It is a key access point for visitors exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khiva.
Currently serving 8 airlines regularly and approximately 40 airlines on a charter-flight basis throughout Eurasia, Urgench Airport witnessed 590,000 passengers and 105.8 tons of cargo in 2023. With an anticipated annual growth of 7.5% in passenger traffic and 8.2% in cargo volume, the airport's expansion is deemed necessary to accommodate increasing demand.
Under the proposed PPP project, the reconstruction and management of Urgench Airport will involve several key developments, including the construction of a new 3,500-meter runway, main taxiway, high-speed and interconnecting taxiways, as well as the reconstruction of existing infrastructure like the apron. Additionally, the project includes the construction of new terminals for both passengers and cargo, a government terminal, a special equipment building, and a catering complex.
The government is seeking expressions of interest from experienced parties in airport construction, reconstruction, and management to participate in the project. Interested parties are encouraged to submit preliminary indications of interest before April 15, 2024. Following this, a formal prequalification process (RfQ) will be launched later in the spring, with detailed information available on the Government of Uzbekistan and UzAirports portals.
UzAirports, the state-owned enterprise responsible for managing Uzbekistan's airports, has enlisted the expertise of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and White-and-Case (W&C) as specialized consultants to aid in the selection of a private partner through a competitive bidding process.
The proposed PPP initiative aligns with Uzbekistan's commitment to enhancing connectivity, stimulating economic growth, and creating employment opportunities.
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