Over the past 34 years of independence after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has faced problems that require joint efforts for their solution. These include water and energy shortages, access to the sea and international transport routes, environmental risks, and instability in Afghanistan. In recent years, however, Central Asian countries have strengthened
Exporters and transport operators crossing the Dostuk border – the main border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – are set to have a smoother experience and shorter waiting times, with the launch of the Electronic Queue Management System (e-QMS), the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. The digital platform, developed by the International
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is contributing to the optimization of international transport routes by supporting upgrades of key port infrastructure in Kazakhstan. A financial package of up to €45 million provided by the EBRD and the European Union will finance an increase in cargo handling capacity at the port of Aktau, Kazakhstan’s
Kyrgyzstan has begun construction of two major tunnels at the Soek and Ashuu-Suu passes on the Barskoon-Bedel highway in the Issyk-Kul region. The Barskoon-Bedel highway, whose construction began on August 27, is a key section of the future Barskoon-Uchturfan-Aksu corridor that will link the Issyk-Kul region with China’s Aksu prefecture in Xinjiang via the Bedel
A meeting was held in New York (USA) on September 22 between Askhat Khassenov, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG), and the leadership of U.S.-based technology company LanzaJet — CEO Jimmy Samartzis and Vice President of Commercial Operations Stefan Tiyon. The parties reviewed the results of the
Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways on September 22 announced the single largest order in the airline’s history as the flag carrier plans to acquire up to 22 787 Dreamliners. Uzbekistan Airways’ purchase of 14 787-9 airplanes, with options for eight more of the ultra-efficient jets, will modernize its Boeing widebody fleet while supporting nearly 35,000 U.S.
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the country’s national railway company, and the American company Wabtec have signed an agreement for the supply of the new TE33AT series of locomotives, manufactured in Kazakhstan at the Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty plant in Astana. Service agreements covering the maintenance of new and existing locomotives were also signed as part of
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a sovereign-guaranteed loan of $400 million equivalent to KazAvtoZhol National Company JSC for the construction of a new road in southern Kazakhstan. The project aims to enhance regional connectivity, enhance transport efficiency, facilitate cross-border trade flows, and improve road safety. “The Saryagash Bypass Road will strengthen Kazakhstan’s trade
In recent years, Uzbekistan has witnessed a rapid increase in the number of motor vehicles. While in 2021 the country had 3.14 million registered cars, by 2025 their number had grown by 66%, reaching 5.2 million. This sharp rise is particularly evident in Tashkent, where the expanding vehicle fleet directly affects air quality and public
On September 8, the airport in Naryn, the main city of the Naryn region in central-east Kyrgyzstan, opened after major reconstruction with the launch of regular Bishkek-Naryn-Bishkek flights operated by state-owned Asman Airlines. All regional airports built in Kyrgyzstan in the Soviet time were never repaired until the most recent time, and the Naryn airport
A delegation of the largest U.S. trade mission in Central Asia visited Mangystau region as part of its visit to Kazakhstan. The visit aimed to familiarize with the region’s investment potential and the advantages of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or the Middle Corridor), according to Kazakh Invest national company. A roundtable was held
Afghanistan’s Kam Air said that in order to provide more convenience and reduce travel costs for Afghan citizens, it has recently signed an interline cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan Airways, TOLOnews reported. According to the company, with the signing of this agreement, Afghan passengers can now travel in transit through Tashkent Airport from European countries, the
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul region on August 27 for the construction of the Barskoon-Bedel highway, which will link the country to the Bedel checkpoint on the Chinese border, Xinhua reported. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said at the ceremony that the highway will strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s external ties, boost the economy and tourism,
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $233.1 million loan to Uzbekistan to help modernize a critical segment of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Road Corridor 2. The project aims to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and enhance road safety and climate resilience in western Uzbekistan. The CAREC Road Corridor 2 Resilience
In the first half of 2025, cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) reached 2.3 million tons, 7% more than in the same period in 2024, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Transport. The TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, links China and Europe via Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea. Over the
On August 22, a trilateral meeting of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan. Berdimuhamedov emphasized that at present Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan demonstrate a
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) will provide a grant to the Kyrgyz Temir Zholu National Company under the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic to prepare a preliminary feasibility study for the investment project to construct the Balykchy – Cholpon-Ata railway. Azamat Sakiev, General Director of Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, and Iaroslav Mandron,
In the first half of 2025, the production of gasoline and diesel fuel in Kazakhstan reached record high levels: 3.1 million and 3 million liters, respectively. Compared to the same period last year, gasoline production increased by 16.3% and diesel production by 16.9%, Energyprom.kz reported. In February this year, gasoline prices in Kazakhstan were released
Addressing the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Turkmenistan on August 5, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke for the need of coordinated action to expedite the development of international transport corridors and infrastructure. Mirziyoyev advocated accelerating the preparation and implementation of the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway construction project. “Converging this promising corridor with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan
KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), and China Railway Container Transport Co., Ltd. (CRCT) have agreed to work together to increase container transportation volumes on the China-Europe, China-Russia, and China-Belarus routes, as well as along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan route, according to KTZ.