Kazakhstan is implementing a series of infrastructure projects aimed at improving logistics and expanding trade with Uzbekistan, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, who spoke on the President project broadcast.
Zhumangarin identified the overloading of transport corridors as a key factor limiting trade growth. “To a large extent, the reason trade is not growing is our limited logistics capacity for exports: the Tashkent hub, the Saryagash-Tashkent route are operating under severe strain. I reported that we have started construction of a 103 km bypass road around Saryagash. We are completing the Darbaza-Maktaral railway, which will divert 20 million tons of cargo around Tashkent, bypassing the Tashkent hub,” he said.
On April 6, construction began on the “Saryagash City Bypass” highway of national significance in the Turkistan region. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport stated that the bypass will redirect transit traffic outside the city, reduce the load on the urban road network, and significantly accelerate traffic toward Uzbekistan.
The project involves building a modern four-lane highway of 102.6 km, classified as I-a technical category. “The commissioning of the bypass will have a significant impact on the region’s economy: cargo and passenger transit will accelerate, the attractiveness of cross-border trade will increase, and the role of the Turkistan region as a transport hub on international routes will be strengthened,” the ministry said.
Zhumangarin emphasized that transport infrastructure development is key to trade growth between the two countries. Last year, bilateral trade reached approximately $5 billion, up 11.4%, but further growth directly depends on the capacity of routes.
Among new projects is the 559 km Beyneu-Saksaul highway, scheduled to begin this year. According to the deputy prime minister, this road will reduce the distance from Uzbekistan to Caspian Sea ports by three days. “This will be a great support for Uzbek entrepreneurs and exporters,” he noted.
Work is also underway to expand the Kyzylorda-Aktobe highway, upgrading it to first category and increasing the number of lanes from two to four.
Beyond infrastructure, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to develop interregional cooperation. The first regional forum may take place on July 23-24 in Aktau. “We sent a note to the Uzbek side with such a proposal, we want to hold the event in Aktau. Interregional cooperation is a huge layer of reserves that we have not yet used,” Zhumangarin added.
The deputy prime minister earlier announced that the Gishtkuprik (Jibek Joly) border crossing point with Uzbekistan will resume operations in September.
Construction of the new Darbaza-Maktaral railway began in late November 2023, with a planned length of 152 km. According to the Kazakh side, the $545 million project will reduce the load on the Saryagash station and increase export shipments toward Uzbekistan.
On April 11, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Bukhara. The sides agreed to jointly promote the “Clean Air” project in border regions and to use water resources rationally. Both countries intend to jointly modernize border infrastructure for efficient access to external markets.
Source: www.gazeta.uz