On the border territory of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the process of leasing commercial facilities in the Shavat–Dashoguz Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has officially been launched. This was reported by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan.
This is a key stage in the implementation of the project, aimed at stimulating bilateral trade, creating new business opportunities, and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
The Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan Free Trade Zone is located in the Shavat district of the Khorezm region, covering an area of 3.1 hectares (the total area of the zone, taking into account both countries, is 6 hectares). The project is being implemented for 30 years with the possibility of extension and is based on the cross-border trade agreement “Shavat–Dashoguz” signed by the two countries in October 2022. A free customs regime operates there, allowing retail trade in products produced exclusively in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan without the payment of duties and taxes.
The modern infrastructure of the zone is designed for active and promising trade:
• 112 open trading rows for street and seasonal trade;
• 28 covered торговые pavilions to protect against weather conditions;
• 16 retail shops for stationary retail sales;
• Pharmacies and medical facilities to ensure the health of visitors;
• A hotel, cafeteria, and hair salons for the comfort of entrepreneurs and customers;
• Parking for 300 vehicles, facilitating logistics.
The zone’s advantageous geographical location, the visa-free regime between the countries, and high trade potential make the FTZ an ideal platform for stable and long-term business. The zone is equipped with facilities for storage, sorting, distribution, and transportation of goods based on modern technologies, which minimizes logistics costs and accelerates product turnover.
To lease a trading facility, entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan can participate in electronic auctions on the platform https://e-auksion.uz/home .
Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in January–November 2025 amounted to US $ 1.064 billion. From February 2025, a free trade regime came into force under the protocol to the agreement of July 2024. In November 2025, the countries agreed to create a transport and logistics hub in the “Alat–Farab” area (Lebap province – Bukhara region). ///nCa, 17 January 2026