Cross-border traffic in Uzbekistan has increased eightfold, reaching nearly 5mn, while customs revenues surged ninefold to over UZS 63 trillion ($4.9bn) in 2024. Cargo clearance times have also been reduced—to three hours for imports and just 20 minutes for exports.
These achievements stem from extensive modernization efforts aimed at strengthening trade and economic ties. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed further proposals on February 24 to enhance customs operations through digitalization, artificial intelligence, and streamlined procedures.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has introduced key reforms to facilitate trade, including:
- Establishing advanced information exchange with nearly a dozen countries.
- Building customs clearance and data processing centers to speed up procedures.
- Constructing terminals at four major customs posts and upgrading more than 20 facilities with modern equipment.
- Launching 35 digital information systems that reduced export processes from nine to three stages.
As a result, Uzbekistan’s ranking in international logistics improved dramatically, rising from 140th to 74th place. These reforms have also benefited around 6,000 exporters and 20,000 importers by lowering costs and simplifying trade procedures.
While progress has been significant, further improvements in digitization and efficiency remain a priority. Among the proposed measures:
- Boosting exports processed within customs territory from $1bn to $1.5bn in 2025.
- Doubling border checkpoint capacity to accommodate growing trade and tourism flows.
- Implementing advance passenger information systems for buses and flights to reduce clearance times.
- Introducing red and green lanes at major customs posts for faster vehicle processing.
Artificial intelligence will also play a larger role in customs surveillance. With support from World Bank experts, Uzbekistan is refining its "risk system," which evaluates businesses based on 122 criteria, such as financial stability and trade history. AI-powered X-ray analysis will help detect prohibited goods more efficiently.
President Mirziyoyev approved these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of customer-friendly services for businesses and travelers. As Uzbekistan moves toward WTO membership, aligning customs regulations with international standards is a key priority.
To support these reforms, the government will strengthen training programs at the Customs Institute, expand dual education, and develop specialists in AI, digital technologies, and risk assessment.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)