Tashkent ( WNAM REPORT): Uzbekistan will adopt a Concept for the Development of Transport and Logistics Systems and Transit Potential until 2030. This was announced by the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Makhkamov.
In an interview with Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, he emphasized that the work will be organized along five key directions, including creating conditions for international transportation.
One of the important aspects will be the identification of alternative transport corridors to bypass problematic countries. Among the proposed alternative routes are “Turkmenistan – Iran – Turkey – European Union,” “Turkmenistan – Azerbaijan – Georgia – Europe,” “Uzbekistan (Andijan) – Kyrgyzstan – China,” and “Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan.”
Additionally, new agreements are planned to be signed with several countries, including Belgium, Armenia, Serbia, Norway, Croatia, and Albania, in the field of international road transportation, as well as the revision of existing agreements with China, Iran, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has instructed to develop alternative routes for foreign trade and create conditions for local carriers to increase the country’s transit potential.
It is expected that by 2025, the volume of transit transportation will increase to 14.6 million tons, reflecting a growth of 13.7%.
Furthermore, as part of the concept, the country aims to improve Uzbekistan’s position in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index from 88th place in 2023 to at least 55th place by 2030.
Uzbekistan also plans to connect to the TRACECA transport system — the “Europe – Caucasus – Asia” corridor.
Conditions for international carriers will be created along major highways, including 266 service points and parking areas for foreign trucks. The creation of “green corridors” and a system of mutual recognition of cargo documents is also proposed.
Finally, to support local freight forwarders, who currently hold only 10% of the market, a plan to exempt them from VAT is expected, with the goal of increasing their share to 50%.