Uzbekistan is preparing a unified transport system to reduce shadow activity in freight transportation and strengthen its position as a key land bridge between the Pacific and Europe. The initiative was discussed at a logistics meeting chaired by the president, where officials noted that illegal transactions still account for more than 42% of the sector.
Digital controls for the freight market
The proposed system would bring together a single register of carriers and vehicles, an aggregator for electronic waybills and freight orders, online exchange of transport permits, and real-time tracking of cargo on international routes. For businesses, the measures are intended to make freight operations more transparent while giving regulators better visibility over the market.
Officials linked the reform agenda to the growth of Uzbekistan’s economy, manufacturing output and foreign trade. The country is seeking not only to expand its transport infrastructure, but also to turn its location into a competitive advantage on the shortest overland routes connecting Asia with Europe.
Rail capacity and international corridors
Several sections of the railway network are already operating under heavy load. The authorities proposed modernising the Maktaaral — Syrdarya, Angren — Pap, Tashguzar — Baysun — Kumkurgan, Tashkent — Samarkand and Tukimachi — Angren lines. According to specialists, investments of $200 million in these projects could raise their combined capacity by 25–30%.
The meeting also reviewed the construction of the China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan railway, plans for a dedicated high-speed line between Tashkent and Samarkand, and projects to expand and electrify rail infrastructure in the regions.
Uzbekistan is developing logistics infrastructure in the Caspian Sea ports of Aktau, Turkmenbashi and Baku, as well as in Poti and Anaklia on the Black Sea. Cooperation on the construction of the Nakhchivan railway is also being considered. The line could provide access to Turkish ports, including Samsun and Istanbul, creating additional options for international freight flows.
Hubs, airports and toll roads
The authorities are planning to expand domestic logistics centres and specialise the cities of Khanabad and Angren, along with the Yangiyul, Akhangaran, Alat and Termez districts, in transport and logistics services. Seventeen hub and terminal projects are planned in Tashkent and Tashkent Region, as well as in Andijan, Surkhandarya and Bukhara regions.
New airport facilities are under construction in Tashkent and Bukhara, with a combined value of almost $3 billion. Airports in Urgench and Namangan are being modernised through public-private partnerships, while the Andijan airport project involves a private operator.
Road infrastructure is also being upgraded. Construction has begun on the $2.2 billion Tashkent — Samarkand toll road, while a highway connecting Urgench and Khiva has already opened. Investors are expected to be selected for the design of toll roads linking Tashkent with Andijan and with the Bostanlyk district.
For international companies in furniture, construction, interior and exterior manufacturing, trade, design and architecture, the planned changes could improve access to Uzbek customers and regional supply chains. More predictable freight documentation, expanded rail and road capacity, new logistics hubs and stronger links to Caspian, Black Sea and Turkish ports may reduce delivery barriers and create additional entry points for import, distribution and manufacturing projects. The scale of the programme also signals a growing need for warehouses, terminals, transport facilities and related commercial construction, although the effectiveness of the reforms will depend on their practical implementation and the transparency of the new digital systems.
