Uzbekistan and Iran plan to increase cargo transportation volumes and trade and economic cooperation

A delegation from the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan visited Kazakhstan on August 10-11 to study cross-border transport and logistics infrastructure, as well as to discuss expanding cargo transportation between the two states.

During the visit, the parties reached an agreement to establish a joint venture at the Kedentransservice JSC terminal at the Altynkol station. The Uzbek delegation familiarized itself with the organization of railway and multimodal cargo transportation and studied Kazakhstan's experience in developing transport and logistics infrastructure.

In particular, representatives of the Ministry of Transport visited the Altynkol railway station on the border of Kazakhstan and China, the Kedentransservice JSC terminal, the KTZE-Khorgos Gateway dry port, the Khorgos-Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone, and the Khorgos International Centre for Boundary Cooperation.

Discussions focused on ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods along the China-Kazakhstan-Central Asia route. The parties also considered issues of increasing container traffic, developing multimodal transport corridors, and diversifying logistics routes.

A separate outcome of the trip was the agreement with the Kazakh side to create a joint venture at the Kedentransservice JSC terminal at the Altynkol station. Participants also discussed prospects for further strengthening transport and logistics cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

During the meeting of Iranian and Kyrgyz ministers, both sides focused on developing trade exchange, joint investments, and expanding cooperation in industrial, mining, energy, transport, and free zone areas. The goal of these measures is to enhance economic ties between the two states.

According to IRNA from the Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade, the meeting included the Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade 'Seyyed Mohammad Atabak' and the Minister of Economy and Trade of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Tolomushevich Sidykov. Emphasizing the significant potential for economic interaction, the sides insisted on strengthening trade relations and attracting investment within regional agreements, including the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Furthermore, the importance of developing joint production for export to third-country markets, strengthening cooperation in exporting knowledge-based products, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment, as well as expanding interaction between free zones and increasing investment in the industrial and mining sectors, was noted.

In the field of mining and energy, Iran stated its readiness to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan in exploration, extraction, processing, provision of technical and engineering services, modernization of the mining industry, and transfer of technical knowledge, referencing Kyrgyzstan's mineral resources.

Regarding transport and transit, the sides agreed to intensify work on the Bandar Abbas–Osh railway route, organize direct flights, reduce transit costs, and complete the creation of regional corridors. Special attention was paid to the importance of participation in the 'Belt and Road' initiative and utilizing Iran's transit potential to connect Kyrgyzstan with international and regional markets.

The sides also agreed to develop banking, logistics, and transport infrastructure, establish a joint banking committee, use national currencies, create joint investment funds, and apply modern financing methods.

Uzbekistan is being considered as a potential fuel supplier for Kyrgyzstan. The head of the Kyrgyz cabinet, Adylbek Kasymaliev, stated that the republic is capable of supplying its neighboring country with up to twenty thousand tons of its products monthly.

According to Kasymaliev's information, negotiations took place with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdullah Aripov, regarding this issue. Currently, Kyrgyzstan imports over 90% of the required fuel.

Against the backdrop of reduced purchasing opportunities in Russia, the authorities of Kyrgyzstan are actively seeking alternative partners, among whom Uzbekistan, as well as Belarus, China, and Azerbaijan, are mentioned. However, there is currently no information about the signing of a contract or the approximate timeline for the start of supplies from Uzbekistan.

Previously, an agreement was reached between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on the creation of an Interstate Council and increasing bilateral trade turnover to two billion dollars.