TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 17. Following negotiations between the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan and representatives from China, strategically significant agreements have been reached to develop the multimodal transport corridor linking China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, a source at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport told Trend.
“All parties expressed a strong commitment to establishing a sustainable multimodal route that will diversify logistics chains and significantly enhance trade and economic cooperation among the countries,” the source emphasized.
During the meeting, the key route directions were agreed upon, focusing on the use of existing border crossings, streamlining customs procedures, and upgrading transport infrastructure in each country. These measures will enable seamless integration of the corridor into the current transportation network.
“The parties also discussed tariff optimization and the digitalization of information exchange. The adoption of modern digital solutions will make the transportation process more transparent and efficient,” the source added.
A major outcome was the agreement to launch pilot multimodal shipments involving Afghan logistics operators. These pilot projects will serve as a practical platform for testing routes and logistics schemes, opening new opportunities for regional transport cooperation.
In addition, negotiations to engage international financial institutions and partners to increase investment in infrastructure and improve the long-term sustainability of the corridor have begun.
Meanwhile, cargo transportation along the corridor currently involves road transport from Kashgar railway station (China) to Osh station (Kyrgyzstan), followed by rail transport through Uzbekistan. To encourage cargo flows, Uzbekistan has offered a substantial discount of 70 percent on transportation within its territory. Similar tariff incentives, up to 50 percent, have been introduced by other participating countries.
Traffic volumes remain limited in the current pilot phase. However, projects planned for 2024-2025 have already transported several hundred containers, mainly destined for Afghanistan, indicating the successful launch of the corridor and its promising future.
