Thanks to the political will and friendly relations between the leaders of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, historical ties between our peoples are being restored, and cooperation is strengthening in all spheres. A prime example of this rapprochement is the “Shavat-Dashoguz” joint border trade zone. Its opening took place on 17 November 2025. The facility was launched by the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan—Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The site is located on the border of the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan and the Dashoguz velayat of Turkmenistan. Citizens of both countries can visit the trade zone and remain on its territory without a visa for up to 15 days.
Spanning several hectares, the area features trade pavilions, warehouses, and administrative buildings for customs, veterinary, phytosanitary, and quarantine services. There are also bank branches, medical service points, a hotel, and a parking lot.
To ensure operational efficiency, government services are provided via a “one-stop-shop” principle, utilizing integrated interactive management systems.
The new zone provides entrepreneurs from both states the opportunity to trade freely, benefiting from shared infrastructure and simplified procedures.
The market consists of two main blocks and includes 112 shopping rows, 28 stores, and 16 retail outlets. Visitors can purchase everything from Khorezm rice and Turkmen carpets to cars manufactured in Uzbekistan.
Anyone carrying a passport or ID card can undergo official registration with border guards and customs inspection to enter the market territory.
While not all market pavilions and retail outlets are fully occupied or operational yet, there are already many visitors browsing the shops and purchasing necessary goods.
On the Uzbek side, trade is mainly conducted in soums and dollars, though some sellers also accept manats. In Turkmenistan, prices are primarily listed in manats, but some sellers accept both soums and dollars.
The operation of this hub is expected to help increase mutual trade between the countries to $2 billion.
The significance of the trade complex extends far beyond economic interaction. A total of 3.5 million people live in the border provinces. Since ancient times, these brotherly nations have maintained close ties, which often developed into kinship.
Due to a number of objective reasons, these bonds were interrupted for many years. For instance, there are about half a million ethnic Uzbeks in Turkmenistan, and more than 150,000 Turkmens in Uzbekistan. The joint border trade zone provides an opportunity for relatives on both sides of the border to meet without excessive bureaucratic barriers.
This unique facility was opened as a pilot project. Plans are underway to build a similar facility on the border of the Alat district of the Bukhara region in Uzbekistan and the Farap district of the Lebap province in Turkmenistan. ///nCa, 12 March 2026 (in cooperation with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Turkmenistan)