Uzbek Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov met a Tajik delegation led by Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Rukhshona Nasriddinzoda in Tashkent on November 11 to discuss simplifying freight traffic between the two countries, increasing border checkpoint capacity and resolving delays in deliveries of construction materials. The talks also covered railway unloading problems faced by Uzbek exporters and ways to speed up cargo movement. The stated aim is to reduce border waiting times, cut transport delays and make bilateral trade flows more predictable for carriers and exporters.
Key Takeaways: The meeting took place in Tashkent on November 11 between Uzbek Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov and a Tajik delegation led by Deputy Minister Rukhshona Nasriddinzoda. Discussions focused on fees for road transport of construction materials, possible revision of current rates, faster railcar unloading and higher border capacity. Specific fee levels, any reduction, implementation deadlines and the list of checkpoints to be modernized have not been announced.
The talks come as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan seek to expand trade and transport links, making logistics a practical priority. Growing cargo volumes, especially for bulky construction materials, place pressure on road and rail infrastructure and on border procedures. Delays at checkpoints or during railcar unloading raise costs for exporters and can affect delivery schedules. For carriers, predictability is as important as tariff levels: they need coordinated procedures across customs, border guards, railway stations and transport authorities. The meeting therefore fits a broader pattern of bilateral work on reducing administrative barriers and improving infrastructure.
A central issue was the fees charged for road transport of construction materials from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan. The sides reviewed the possibility of revising current rates to ease exports of such products, but did not disclose the size of the fees or the expected reduction. They also discussed difficulties Uzbek exporters face when unloading railcars in Tajikistan and considered measures to accelerate those operations and remove existing obstacles. Separate attention was given to border crossings, where the two countries intend to raise throughput capacity and create more convenient conditions for freight vehicles, which should shorten queues and speed up deliveries.
The meeting was reported by Podrobno.uz, which noted that no specific timelines or final list of checkpoints had been made public. Earlier, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan agreed to digitalize customs procedures at the Fotekhobod — Oybek border crossing. The current discussions extend that practical agenda to road transport fees, railway operations and checkpoint capacity. The absence of published rates and deadlines suggests the proposals are still at the stage of official review and require further expert work.
At the end of the meeting, the sides agreed to take necessary measures as soon as possible to increase exports and simplify transport. Further details are expected to be worked out by the relevant ministries and agencies, including the exact scope of any fee revision and the checkpoints selected for modernization. For now, the main outcome is a political and administrative commitment to reduce friction in Uzbek-Tajik freight traffic, with concrete decisions still pending.
Source: podrobno.uz