Iran and Uzbekistan convened their first joint task force on transport and transit cooperation in Tashkent from June 10-11. The objective of the two-day meeting was to identify and address barriers to the transport and transit of goods between the two countries. This initiative was aimed at improving their positions in regional and international transport corridors.
The task force meeting was chaired by Iran's Deputy Transport Minister, Seyyed Kamal Hadianfar, and Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Mahkamov. The main objectives were to:
- Assess the current status of both countries in regional and international transport corridors.
- Enhance cooperation in road, rail, and air transport.
- Discuss measures to reduce transport costs and streamline customs formalities.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the minutes by Hadianfar and Mahkamov.
This task force meeting follows a series of high-level engagements between the two countries. In March 2023, officials from Iran and Uzbekistan formed a joint transport committee and drafted a transit roadmap during a meeting at Iran's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. These efforts culminated in the signing of a comprehensive transport and transit Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2023.
Trade between Iran and Uzbekistan reached $500mn in 2023, with expectations for significant growth in 2024, according to Uzbekistan's Energy Minister. The improvements in transport and transit infrastructure are anticipated to facilitate this growth.
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