BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 28. Trend News Agency presents an overview of the most important events in 2022 in Uzbekistan’s transport sector.
Route from Uzbekistan to neighboring countries
Kazakhstan:
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan after 2-year break resumed passenger rail transportation in 2022. Starting from May 15, train No. 647/648 was launched in the direction of Nukus (Uzbekistan) – Beyneu (Kazakhstan) – Nukus, while on May 16, a train started running in the direction of Almaty - Tashkent – Almaty. The international rail service of Uzbekistan was suspended in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tajikistan:
İn 2022 Uzbekistan and Tajiksitan have set up a new bus route. New bus service was launched between Khujand (Tajikistan’s Sughd province) and Kokand (Uzbekistan’s Ferghana region). The fare is 100,000 soums (equivalent to $9). Furthermore, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan organized a regular railway service along the route "Dushanbe - Samarkand – Tashkent”.
Cooperation with international partners
South Korea:
Uzbekistan signed a cooperation agreement to develop cooperation with South Korea in the field of transport and road infrastructure in 2022. Within the framework of cooperation, the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Korea Expressway Corporation (a Korean corporation for the development of foreign infrastructure and cities in the field of transport and road infrastructure) discussed the implementation of joint projects on the terms of public-private partnership in the mentioned sector, reforming the public transport system of Uzbekistan using the Korean experience, and introducing intelligent transport systems.
At the same time, the parties touched upon the possibilities of attracting funds from Korean financial institutions in investment and grant projects.
China:
China is not only a strategic partner, but also a country that is trying to support Uzbekistan´s development in different fields. This year China attempted to expand bilateral industrial, trade and economic relations, as well as got involved in development of Uzbek transport sector.
One of the stages of cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the transport sector was the signing of a memorandum on the production of electric vehicles. The memorandum was signed between Uzbek Uzavtosanoat and Chinese BYD Auto Industry manufacturer of electric vehicles.
Latvia:
Latvian Riga Port has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Uzbekistan Temir Yullari JSC (Uzbekistan Railways) in 2022. The document provides for strengthening and development of mutual cooperation between the Latvian port and Uzbekistan, as well as information support in order to promote more efficient use of transport and transit potential.
Due to the agreement, strengthening mutual cooperation creates favorable and competitive conditions for import, export and transit cargo flows between Latvia and Uzbekistan and in the opposite direction.
Development of Tashkent city’s road network
The Government of Uzbekistan has launched project on returning the trams to Tashkent roads. In order for organize tram traffic, all taxi and bus routes in Tashkent will be mapped and crowded places will be identified.
For implementation of the project, specialists from abroad, in particular, experts from Türkiye and the Czech Republic were invited. Currently the construction of tram lines in Tashkent is underway, the trams are scheduled to be launched in 2023.
At the same time, this year, along with returning of trams to Tashkent roads, Uzbek government has been renovating its city bus fleet. In this regard, Uzbekistan has allocated $445,000 for renovation of public transport in Tashkent.
Modernization of international airports in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan launched a number of projects to modernize infrastructure at its international airports in 2022. In particular, international airports of Samarkand and Termez of Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region.
On March 18, a new terminal of Samarkand International Airport was opened. The airport and the terminal were completely overhauled through a public-private partnership for an estimated $83 million. Furthermore, during the overhaul of the airport, a 4-storey terminal building was completely reconstructed.
As for the Termez airport, the government allocated $33.5 million for its renovation. During the process, a new 4E category airfield complex was built, including a new 3,000 meter-long and 60 meter-wide runway, taxiways and apron for three aircraft parking lots.
Furthermore, a modern CAT-I ICAO system of light-signaling equipment, weather and radio-navigation system for landing was installed at the airport.