Uzbekistan looking to attract $9 bln in investment to transport sector by 2030

TASHKENT. Sept 21 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan plans to attract $9.1 billion in investment to the transport and logistics sector and raise the annual export volume of transport services to $5.7 billion by 2030, the presidential press service said.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the development of Uzbekistan's transport and logistics sector. A key objective is to develop the country into a major land-based transport and logistics hub and to expand access to international markets. As part of the strategy, plans include doubling the volume of transport services provided by 2030.

Priority areas include the construction and modernization of airports, the development of road and rail networks, the expansion of international transport corridors, and the creation of logistics infrastructure.

Mirziyoyev was briefed on the construction progress of new international airport complexes in Tashkent and Bukhara, with a total value of around $3 billion. Projects to modernize the airports in Urgench, Namangan, and Andijan are also underway involving private operators.

Regarding road infrastructure, the implementation of major projects was reviewed, including the construction of the $2.2 billion Tashkent-Samarkand toll highway and the preparation of toll road projects connecting to the Fergana Valley.

A proposal was made to allocate $200 million to increase the capacity of the railway network at the busiest sections, which is estimated to boost capacity 25%-30%. Discussions also covered the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, the creation of a high-speed rail line between Tashkent and Samarkand, the expansion and electrification of the railway network, and the modernization of the freight railcar fleet.

Projects in the area of international logistics were also presented to the President. Specifically, proposals were outlined for developing infrastructure involving Uzbekistan at the Caspian Sea ports of Aktau, Kazakhstan; Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan; and Baku, Azerbaijan; as well as the Black Sea ports of Poti and Anaklia, both in Georgia. It was noted that an agreement has been signed to establish a logistics center at the port of Poti. Plans are also being explored for participation in the development of the port of Anaklia and the construction of the Nakhchivan railway, which would expand access to the Turkish ports of Samsun and Istanbul.

There are plans to expand the domestic network of logistics centers in order to ensure the effective use of international transport corridors. Seventeen projects to establish logistics centers and terminals are slated for implementation in Tashkent, as well as in the Tashkent, Andijan, Surkhandarya, and Bukhara regions, respectively.