Uzbekistan is implementing digital solutions across its transport sector to reduce border delays, accelerate cargo transit, and build a more resilient logistics network. Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriyev shared these insights on May 5 during a panel session at the Asian Development Bank’s meeting in Samarkand.
When asked by the moderator how Uzbekistan is digitizing its transport systems to make them more efficient and attractive to investors, Choriyev pointed to border bottlenecks as a critical challenge.
"During the Soviet era, we were one country and were so interconnected that an industrial zone could rely seamlessly on a plant located 5,000 kilometers away. Supply chains and the economy functioned as a single unit with numerous corridors. Back then, there were no border issues or physical barriers," he explained.
The Deputy Minister continued that after gaining independence, nations began establishing their own borders and security protocols, which effectively restricted many trade opportunities. "The conversation shifted toward security and self-sufficiency—how to make economies as independent as possible. This created a significant dilemma," Choriyev stated.
According to Choriyev, Central Asia is now returning to its historical roots and the trade routes that once operated so effectively. "Many of these links were severed, including railways and border crossings that used to run smoothly. Today, one of our primary goals is the removal of physical barriers. Both sides of the border are building new infrastructure so that every country has an equal capacity to process the movement of goods and people. This is truly vital," he noted.
Turning to digitization, Choriyev emphasized that crossing a border—whether by land or air—must be convenient and predictable. To achieve this, he stressed the necessity of real-time data sharing between border, customs, and other regulatory agencies.
"If there is a transparent exchange of information—if border guards, customs, and everyone else knows in advance what is arriving, when it’s arriving, and how fast it needs to move—then the entire process can function as a single, unified ecosystem," he concluded.
The Deputy Minister noted that a lack of infrastructure or digital solutions at even a single point can bring an entire supply chain to a standstill.
"What is our goal? From my perspective, we want to create an environment where any cargo entering Uzbekistan enters a sort of 'turbo mode.' Without this, we simply won't be able to attract global trade and transit," he stated.
He explained that the core focus is on slashing transit times. "Essentially, any goods entering Uzbekistan must move faster. If transit used to take four days, it should now take two. It’s like hitting the 'fast-forward' button in a game," the Deputy Minister said.
To achieve this, Choriyev noted that digital platforms are being rolled out, including e-permits, e-CMR (electronic consignment notes), and digital freight and shipping documents. "These systems are already operational, and we are sharing our expertise not only with our neighbors but also with the nations that account for the bulk of our trade," he remarked.
According to the Deputy Minister, some initiatives are already fully functional, while others are currently being implemented.
Choriyev also argued that regional countries must be more proactive in exchanging modern technology and expertise, citing Singapore’s maritime leadership and Japan’s digital prowess as benchmarks. "This kind of knowledge and experience needs to be disseminated through existing programs and platforms like CAREC, GMS, and other collaborative frameworks," he said.
In closing, the Deputy Minister emphasized that ideas discussed on the international stage must translate into practical action between trading partners. "Our discussions spark new initiatives and ideas, but we must treat them as concrete tasks—as 'homework'—and then hammer them out through bilateral and trilateral work. You can talk a lot and propose brilliant ideas, but if they don’t work in practice between partners, there will be no result," Jasurbek Choriyev declared.
He also noted during the session that Uzbekistan is investing in transport infrastructure both within and beyond its borders to maintain global connectivity. He observed that crises, which used to occur once every few years, are now disrupting markets on an almost monthly basis.
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