TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN CENTRAL ASIA
Farrukh Juraev,
Head of Department of the Institute for Strategic and Regional
Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Annotation
The article discusses international transport projects in the Central Asian region that will contribute to the
formation of regional transport communications in Central Asia, as well as the interests and prospects of
Uzbekistan’s participation in their implementation.
The radical changes taking place in the Central Asian region in recent years facilitated states
of the region becoming more active in turning Central Asia into crossroads of transportation
corridors that connect the East with the West, the North and the South, and to link their strategic
future with joint regional efforts and actions, in connection with which transport opportunities of
international importance have increased.
Taking into account the importance and urgency of the development of Central Asia as a
coherent whole region, the first days of the presidency focused the attention on the
implementation of proactive regional policies, the creation of a favorable political atmosphere in
Central Asia, the building of constructive and mutually beneficial relations with the countries of
the region in all directions, including transport ― the main priority of Uzbekistan's foreign policy.
Speaking at the consultation meeting of the heads of states of Central Asia in Astana, President
of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed that the priority should be given to the
implementation of transport and communication projects that will connect Central Asia with
major seaports and world markets.
In our country special attention is paid to further development of transport infrastructure
and the increase in the volume of transit cargo transportation.
Currently, the government of Uzbekistan is implementing the Program for development and
modernization of engineering communications and road infrastructure for 2015-2019, which
provides for the elaboration of a single complex development strategy for the national transport
industry, which meets high international standards, and ensures its broad integration into
international transport communications, taking into account the long-term needs of domestic
manufacturers in promoting their products to the local and world markets.
It should be taken into account that today all the
to some reports, the length of
necessary conditions have been created for the further the According
railway communication system of
development of the transport and transit potential in the Central Asian countries extends more than
22,000 km. Kazakhstan has the largest
country.
most exploited railways, which
The country is making efforts to increase the capacity and
accounts for 66 percent of the total length
of the transport system, remove existing barriers to of the region's railways and accounts for
unimpeded transit through the territory of Uzbekistan, 84 percent of all freight transport. About
percent of regional railways pass
which has the great importance in the development of 18
through Uzbekistan, accounting for about
international transport corridors in Central Asia.
11 percent of all traffic. Turkmenistan has
Recently, under the conditions of a confident and about 12 percent of regional railways and
friendly atmosphere in Central Asia, it is becoming 4 percent of all traffic.
possible to take practical measures to implement real
transport projects. The countries of our region have recently intensified their efforts to increase
their transport capabilities of international importance. Today, a number of international
transport projects are being laid across Central Asia.
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