Uzbekistan plans to create trade and industrial zones on its border with Kyrgyzstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced during a meeting on April 16. These zones aim to strengthen economic ties and boost bilateral trade between the two nations.
Approximately $200mn worth of exports are made annually from Uzbekistan’s Andijan region to Kyrgyzstan. The president emphasized the need for free trade and industrial zones in the Kurgan-Tepa and Khojaabad areas, mirroring the successful model used on the Afghan border.
To move forward with the plan, President Mirziyoyev instructed officials, in consultation with local entrepreneurs, to select one of these two areas and develop a detailed master plan for its development.
The head of the state also addressed concerns raised by residents and transporters about heavy traffic congestion at the "Do'stlik" checkpoint in Khojaabad. He tasked relevant ministries and departments with investigating the cause of the delays and implementing a solution as soon as possible.
In addition, the construction of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China railway was discussed during the meeting. This project, according to Mirziyoyev, will cut transportation time by one week, reduce the distance by 1,000 kilometers, and increase cargo transportation capacity tenfold.
The president raised concerns about the readiness of Uzbekistan’s domestic railway networks, customs points, and stations to handle this increased cargo and instructed authorities to conduct necessary assessments and prepare a comprehensive work program.
The development of free trade zones is not new for Uzbekistan. The first such zone in Central Asia was launched in August 2024 in the Termez district of Surkhandarya region, located on the border with Afghanistan. This $70mn project covers 36 hectares and includes various facilities such as a hotel, medical clinic, business school, restaurants, and a logistics center with a capacity to handle 900,000 tons of cargo per year. Manufacturing enterprises are also part of the zone.
Furthermore, a similar free trade zone is planned along the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border. In February 2024, President Mirziyoyev signed a decree to establish a free trade zone in the Shovot district of Khorezm region. This new zone will support modern services such as storage, sorting, sales, and transportation.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)