Recently, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) of Pakistan carried out the first direct delivery of cargo to Tajikistan. A batch of Pakistani potatoes travelled 1,400 km in just 7 days, reaching Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital, via a China-routed path bypassing Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, the first direct shipment of cargo was … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries are building new transport corridors and changing logistics
Serikbol Koshmaganbetov Geopolitical turbulence in the world is radically changing the infrastructure of transport flows in Central Asia. Asian countries are eager to send their cargo to Europe via the historic Great Silk Road. What is the current development of cargo transportation logistics in Central Asian countries, read the material of the correspondent of Kazinform … [Read more...]
A Dialogue on “Central Asian Connectivity Project Pipeline” between IsDB-AIIB-MCDF and Regional Countries
On 11-12 March 2024, the Regional Dialogue on Central Asian Connectivity (CAC) Project Pipeline has convened in Istanbul, Turkiye, to facilitate a stakeholder dialogue aimed at identifying and assessing cross-border connectivity projects in Central Asia. Organized jointly by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed cooperation in the transport sector
On 27 February 2024, the Afghanistan delegation headed by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Mammetkhan Chakiyev, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, as part of a working visit to Turkmenistan, the Afghan Foreign Ministry reports. The meeting explored the prospects of expanding … [Read more...]
The Central Asia link
Anton Usov At the Second European Union (EU)-Central Asia Economic Forum at the end of May 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) presented a study on sustainable transport connections between Central Asia and Europe. Funded by the European Commission, the study identified country-specific needs and measures to reduce transportation costs, increase … [Read more...]
Experts Discuss Boosting Central Asian Exports through Turkmenbashi Port: Infrastructure, Services, and Partnerships Highlighted
Transport industry experts and representatives from regional associations in Central Asia convened virtually on 14 February 2024 to discuss the potential of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport as a key transit hub for exports from the region. Organized by the USAID Trade Program in Central Asia, in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and … [Read more...]
Global Gateway: EU and Central Asian countries agree on building blocks to develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
During the two-day Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, the European Union, Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and other gathered partners from across the world have made important steps to start the development of the fast route Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor linking Europe and Central Asia within … [Read more...]
EIB Global to Support Sustainable Transport in Central Asia with Co-financing of €1.47 Billion
EIB Global, the European Union's bank for long-term investments outside the EU, has signed memorandums of understanding for project co-financing with Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan for a total of €1.47 billion, the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan reports. This significant commitment was announced at the EU-Central Asia … [Read more...]
European and international financial institutions announce €10 billion commitment to support sustainable connectivity in Central Asia
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity started today (29 January 2024) in Brussels. The event brings together government officials, financing institutions, businesses and civil society from Europe, all five Central Asian countries, and beyond. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and … [Read more...]
Xinjiang’s Trade grows with Central Asia, Becoming its Largest Market
Urumqi customs data shows Central Asia as the largest trading partner for China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR). In 2023, trade turnover surged by 50%, accounting for a remarkable 79.4% of XUAR's total foreign trade volume, Xinhua reports. Trade with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, XUAR's top three partners, increased by 70.8%, 25.8%, and 93.4%, … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan offers China to join corridor linking Central Asia and Türkiye
Uzbekistan has offered China access to a crucial transport corridor linking Central Asia with Türkiye. During last week meeting in Beijing, Uzbekistan Railways chairman Zufar Narzullayev proposed including Chinese State Railways in the protocol governing the corridor Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Türkiye. He also suggested collaborating to boost the corridor's capacity. The … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Joins Regional Efforts to Expand Trans-Caspian Trade Route
Representatives from Turkmenistan, alongside officials from other Central Asian nations and international organizations, gathered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 25-26 January 2024, for the third meeting on expanding the Trans-Caspian Trade Route (TCTR). The Turkmen Logistics Association, Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan (TULM), and several transport and logistics … [Read more...]
Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity – 29 and 30 January 2024
The European Commission invites you to the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity; Taking place on 29 and 30 January 2024 in Brussels, the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity will bring together high-level representatives from Central Asian countries, EU Member States, partner countries along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, EU … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Drives Regional Connections with Growing Container Traffic
In January-December 2023, 52 container trains passed through the territory of Turkmenistan in the directions Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia and Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran, reports JSC Demiryollary (Turkmen state-run company, passenger and cargo carrier of the Turkmen railway network). In 2023, 10,799 container shipments were carried out from the territory … [Read more...]
Margaritis Schinas – Europe is in long-term commitment with Central Asia
Vice President of EC completes his Central Asia visit with last stop in Turkmenistan Margaritis Schinas, the Vice President of the European Commission (EC) completed his tour of the five Central Asian countries with the last stop in Turkmenistan on 17 January 2023. In Turkmenistan, he had several meetings including with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the foreign minister … [Read more...]
Brussels to host Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity
Brussels will host Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity on 29-30 January 2024, European Commission reports. The Global Gateway Transport Investors Forum takes forward the conclusions of the EU-commissioned Study on Sustainable Transport Corridors between the EU and Central Asia, and aims to translate the political commitments of the EU and the five … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan’s initiated United Nations General Assembly resolutions on transport and energy connectivity have been officially published in six languages
In December 2023, the UN General Assembly approved two resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan – on transport and energy. Resolutions entitled "Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals" and "The pivotal role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in driving sustainable development" have now been officially published … [Read more...]
Istanbul meeting paves the way for the development of the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye multimodal transport corridor
The first meeting of the railway administrations of the participating countries of the multimodal transport corridor Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan – Iran – Türkiye was held in Istanbul, where important issues related to the development of this transport route were discussed, the Information and Analytical Media Center of Uzbekistan Temir Yullari (Uzbek Railways) reports. The key … [Read more...]
Construction of a new bridge continues over the Caspian Strait of Garabogaz
The construction of the Garabogaz Strait Bridge, a vital artery poised to reshape regional connectivity, is underway in Turkmenistan. Since its launch in August 2022, the project, awarded to Ukrainian highway construction company Altcom, has steadily progressed, promising to usher in a new era of trade and transport efficiency by June 2024. This modern bridge will replace … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Establish Joint Committee to Enhance Railway Cooperation
On 1 December 2023, a delegation from Afghanistan led by Bakht Rahman Sharafat, Director General of the Afghanistan Railway Administration, met with Azat Atamyradov, Head of the Turkmendemiryollary Agency (Turkmen Railways). According to the Afghanistan Railway Authority's press service, the meeting focused on in-depth discussions regarding bilateral cooperation in the railway … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan launches new railway project, improving regional connectivity and boosting trade
On Monday, 27 November, Kazakhstan started construction of a new railway line that will connect the southernmost regions of Kazakhstan with the rest of the country and improve transport connectivity with neighboring Uzbekistan. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. The 152 km long Darbaza – Maktaaral railway line will allow to reorient cargo from the existing … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Becomes Largest Transit Hub Between China and Europe
About 85% of all land transit traffic from China to Europe passes through Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said at the official opening ceremony of the 6th China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 5 November 2023. Kazakhstan plays a strategic role as a regional transport and logistics hub, connecting the Eurasian continent with the Asia-Pacific region, … [Read more...]
New ECO Transport Corridor through Turkmenistan to forge connectivity between Asia with Europe
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Türkiye have signed a protocol on the formation of an international multimodal corridor between Asia and Europe via the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye route, Uzbekistan's transport ministry reports. The document was signed within the framework of the 12th meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the Economic Cooperation Organization, … [Read more...]
Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to Develop Transport Corridor Through Turkmenistan
Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan intend to develop the international multimodal transport corridor "Russia - Caspian Sea - Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Kyrgyzstan". The relevant memorandum was signed on 1 November 2023, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at the Transport Forum of the SCO member states between the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ikhlom Makhkamov, Deputy Minister … [Read more...]
Freight Volumes from China to Europe on the Middle Corridor Surge by Over 80%, says IRU
From January to August 2023, freight volumes from China to Europe along the Middle Corridor increased by over 80% compared to the same period last year. All signs point to more goods moving through the Middle Corridor in the years to come. This was stated by IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto at the 4th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum “Connecting Today Resilient Tomorrow”, in … [Read more...]
The C5+1 Regional Connectivity Ministerial in Samarkand issued a Joint Statement
On October 24, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power and Ministers from the Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan under the auspices of the C5+1 regional diplomatic platform. During the C5+1 Regional Connectivity Ministerial, … [Read more...]
Southern corridor connecting China to Europe via Turkmenistan, Iran and Turkey has great potential, says IRU Secretary General
IRU’s Secretary General held high-level talks with Mohammad Rezvanifar, President of the Iranian Customs Administration, in Geneva on how to further enhance transport and transit in Iran. Both sides discussed the latest developments in international logistics chain, particularly given Iran’s pivotal geographical position and its active role in the Economic Cooperation … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Türkiye discuss international transport corridor
On Friday, 13 October 2023, transport departments and representatives of the railway sector of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Türkiye and Uzbekistan held an online meeting, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan reports. Issues aimed at accelerating the processes related to the signing of the agreement on the creation of the international transport corridor … [Read more...]
Railway can drive Central Asia’s development faster
Djoomart Otorbaev The Belt and Road Initiative has built remarkably efficient railways connecting China and Europe via Central Asia. These rail routes did not exist even a decade ago. Within a short period, they have boosted local and national economies thanks to their solid infrastructure, smooth operation and socioeconomic impacts. Between January and August in 2023 alone … [Read more...]
Round Table explores TRACECA’s Role in Integrating Turkmenistan’s Transport System into Global Network
Turkmenistan has recently joined the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for the Development of the Europe–Caucasus–Asia Corridor, which is the foundation legal instrument for the TRACECA corridor. The editorial office of the newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan" held a round table with the Association "Turkmen Logistics" to discuss the importance of the … [Read more...]
Joint Declaration by Heads of State of Central Asia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany – The Leaders of Germany and the five Central Asian States agreed to establish a Strategic Regional Partnership
The text of the Joint Statement adopted following the meeting of the heads of Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) with the Federal Chancellor of Germany is published on the official website of the Federal Government of Germany. Here is the full text of the Statement: On 29 September 2023, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan: Development of Transport and Communication System in the Years of Independence
The transport and communication complex has become one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the Turkmenistan’s economy. The country is actively integrating into the growing network of transport connections in the region and Eurasia. Mammetkhan Chakyev, General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers, writes about this in his … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan to Actively Contribute to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Turkmenistan is ready to actively contribute to the implementation of major transport initiatives, including China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This follows from the presentation of the Turkmen delegation at the 1st meeting of Transport Ministers of Central Asia and China, held at the Global Forum on Sustainable Transport in Beijing. According to the Agency for … [Read more...]
Tajikistan hosted inaugural meeting of the High–level Working Group on the Multimodal corridor “Tajikistan–Uzbekistan– Turkmenistan-Iran-Türkiye” – China joined the event
On 21 September 2023, the first meeting of the High–level Working Group on the Multimodal Corridor "Tajikistan –Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan–Iran-Türkiye" (TUTIT) + China was held in Dushanbe under the auspices of the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization). As previously reported, in accordance with the recommendation of the "Ankara Declaration" adopted by the 11th Meeting of … [Read more...]
2nd International Conference and Exhibition “International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development” starts in Ashgabat
The 2nd International Conference and Exhibition "International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development" (ITTC 2023) is about to start in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to the participants of the conference, noting: "Thanks to the favorable geographical location, our sovereign … [Read more...]
Turkmen transport companies are establishing partnership with the Baltic countries – the Association “Turkmen Logistics” attended the transport and logistics forum in Riga
From 11 to 17 June, representatives of the Association "Turkmen Logistics" and the member companies of the Association - JSC "Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan" and Economic Society "Halkara gatnaw logistika", take part in a study trip to the ports of Latvia and Lithuania, the Association "Turkmenlogistics" reports. The trip was organized by the USAID Project on … [Read more...]
Expert Club of North-South Transport Corridor is working on opening branches in Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries
The Caspian International Integration Club "North-South" is an expert and coordination platform for the promotion of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), may open its representative offices in Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries. The statement came from the chairman of the Club Ramazan Abdulatipov at the opening ceremony of the Club's branch in … [Read more...]
Two new airlines bring the number of carriers in Uzbekistan to eight
Approval of two new airlines in Uzbekistan has brought the total number of carriers in the country to eight. The newcomers are Asia Union Airlines and Tashkent Air. The other airlines are Uzbekistan Airways, Qanot Sharq, Panorama Airways, Humo Air, Centrum Air, and Silk Avia. The airlines in Uzbekistan acquired 17 airplanes during the first half of this year. The local … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan aims to build up its transit capacity between China and Central Asia
Kazakhstan aims to construct a large commercial and logistics hub on the bypass railway around Almaty, which will be built to boost the transit flows from China to Central Asia, The transit goods to/from neighboring China have been delivered to Kazakhstan through the Altynkol - Khorgos border crossing, where there is an intensive growth in traffic. The Almaty railway … [Read more...]
Cargo transportation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan digitized
The first international transportation under the digital transport program between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has launched, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan reports. This system enables the proper and timely completion of the registration process between the two sides while transferring goods through the customs border. In addition, the e-TIR project, implemented … [Read more...]
Central Asia and Pakistan strive to improve transport and logistics links
Elvira Kadyrova This week, the authorities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed with Pakistan issues of transport connectivity within the framework of joint corridors that aim to connect South Asia with Central Asia, with access beyond the region. On Wednesday, 12 July, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif paid special … [Read more...]
China and Central Asia Strengthen Ties at the Cooperation Forum in Xiamen
The 10th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum opened on Saturday in Xiamen, Fujian Province, eastern China. The two-day forum is organized by the SCO Committee on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation and the People's Government of Fujian Province and is dedicated to promoting friendly relations and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, Xinhua … [Read more...]
China continues to forge connectivity with Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova China continues to enhance connectivity with Central Asia by paving new transport channels to propel its flagship Belt and Road initiative. More recently, containers were sent for the first time from the eastern province of Hebei to Uzbekistan via a multimodal route, and the southeastern Shenzhen city, the largest export center of China, is launching TIR … [Read more...]
China’s provinces build up trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan
Another train set off last week from China to the Central Asian region, demonstrating the increasing trade and economic relations and the growing transport connectivity between China and the region. On 30 August, a train loaded with 261 cars left the Liuzhou automobile logistics base (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China) for Tashkent, the capital of … [Read more...]
China’s Gansu Province Extends Its Reach to Central Asia with New Air Links
A batch of cargo, including machine parts and fresh-cut flowers weighing 16 tonnes, was shipped from Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in northwest China's Gansu Province to Almaty in Kazakhstan on August 28, 2023. The flight marked the opening of the province's first cargo flight route connecting Central Asia, Xinhua reports. With the launch of a new cargo route, the … [Read more...]
Digital transformation of railway transport discussed at the ESCAP meeting in Almaty
The second Expert Group Meeting and Capacity Building Workshop on Digital Transformation of Railway and Multimodal Transport in North and Central Asia were held on 26-27 April 2023 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in a hybrid format, the press service of the TRACECA Project reports. At the meeting of the Expert Group, the ESCAP Secretariat presented several projects in support of … [Read more...]
DUSHANBE COMMUNIQUE of the First Meeting of Transport Ministers of Central Asian States
(Unofficial translation) On Wednesday, 13 September, within the framework of the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States, the First Meeting of transport ministers of Central Asian states took place, following which the Dushanbe Communique was adopted. The full text of the document follows. Heads of ministries and departments of Central … [Read more...]
EBRD study looks at sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia
nCa Report The EBRD has recently released a report on ‘Sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia.’ It is the product of massive and wide-ranging collaboration including very active cooperation by the regional countries. It is also the result of the hard work of the EBRD teams at various locations. Here is a slightly abridged version of the Executive … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan proposed Turkmenistan to use an electronic permit system in international transportation
Uzbekistan offers Turkmenistan to switch to the E-permit system, which implies the electronic exchange of permit forms for international road transportation. The proposal was announced on 10 March in Ashgabat at a meeting of the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov with the Chairman of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers … [Read more...]
Experts of the transport sector of Turkmenistan visited Latvia and Lithuania – outcomes of the visit
Representatives of the Association "Turkmen Logistics" and the member companies of the Association, as well as experts from other Central Asian countries made a study trip to Latvia and Lithuania in order to explore new transport routes and their potential. The trip was facilitated by the USAID Project on Trade in Central Asia, the IPC "TRACECA" and the Union of Transport … [Read more...]