Kazakhstan is rolling out a series of major infrastructure projects aimed at streamlining logistics and boosting trade with Uzbekistan. This was announced by the Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, during an appearance on the President media project.
According to Zhumangarin, the primary bottleneck stifling trade growth remains the severe congestion of current transport corridors.
"In many ways, trade isn't growing because our export logistics are stretched to the limit. The Tashkent hub, particularly the Saryagash–Tashkent route, is under immense strain. I have reported that we’ve broken ground on a 103 km bypass around Saryagash. We are also nearing completion on the Darbaza–Maktaaral railway. These projects will divert 20 million tons of cargo around the Tashkent hub, bypassing the city entirely," he stated.
The project involves building a state-of-the-art Category I-a highway spanning 102.6 km with four-lane traffic.
Zhumangarin emphasized that modernizing transport infrastructure is the key to unlocking trade potential between the two nations. Last year, bilateral trade reached approximately $5 billion (an 11.4% increase), but further growth hinges directly on the capacity of these transit routes.
Among the upcoming initiatives is the 559 km Beineu–Saksaul highway project, scheduled to break ground later this year. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, this route will shave three full days off the journey from Uzbekistan to the Caspian Sea ports.
"This is a massive advantage for Uzbek business owners, especially exporters," he emphasized.
Additionally, work is underway to expand the Kyzylorda–Aktobe highway. The road is being upgraded to a Category I technical status, doubling its capacity from two lanes to four.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are looking to deepen inter-provinces cooperation. The first Inter-Provinces Forum is proposed to take place in Aktau on July 23–24.
"We have formally extended this proposal to the Uzbek side. Cooperation between provinces of the two countries represents a vast, untapped reserve of potential that we have yet to fully utilize," Zhumangarin added.
The Kazakh Vice Prime Minister also previously noted that the Gishtkuprik (Zhibek Zholy) border crossing—a major artery between the two nations—is set to resume operations in September.
Meanwhile, construction on the new Darbaza–Maktaaral railway began in late November 2023. The 152 km line, valued at $545 million, is designed to alleviate congestion at the Saryagash station and significantly boost export volumes toward Uzbekistan.
These developments follow an April 11 meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Bukhara. During the summit, the leaders agreed to jointly promote the "Clean Air" project in border provinces and cooperate on rational water management. Both nations are committed to modernizing their shared border infrastructure to secure more efficient access to global markets.
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