BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 26. Uzbekistan’s integration into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor) is set to boost the country's position on the international transport arena, Felix Chang, a Senior Fellow at the US Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Asia Program, told Trend.
The analyst noted that the scale of that economic boost should be kept in perspective.
“Uzbekistan’s integration into the Middle Corridor will likely elevate its standing in the international arena. To ensure the success of the Middle Corridor segment passing through Uzbekistan as a trade route in Eurasia, competitive services in terms of cost and efficiency are crucial. Additionally, aligning with the Middle Corridor initiative may reduce Uzbekistan's import costs, potentially mitigating inflation. Nevertheless, increased integration with the Middle Corridor may expose Uzbek manufacturers to heightened competition,” he noted.
Chang noted that over the last two decades, new logistics and transportation infrastructure has been built all over the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, yet, few infrastructure projects have had a truly transformative effect on global trade and investment.
The Middle Corridor, a transportation and trade pathway, links Asia and Europe as it traverses numerous countries within the region. It provides an alternative to the conventional Northern and Southern Corridors.
Beginning in China, it spans across Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Subsequently, it extends through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye before reaching the European continent.
This strategic Middle Corridor offers a land-based connection between the eastern regions of Asia, including China, and Europe, offering a shorter path compared to lengthy maritime routes.