Central Asian countries to launch unified digital transport platform
Economy
Transport ministers of Central Asian nations have agreed to create a unified digital platform aimed at integrating regional logistics systems and boosting cargo movement from China to Europe. The announcement came from Uzbekistan’s Transport Minister Ilhom Makhkamov following a ministerial meeting in Tashkent.
On November 12, Tashkent hosted a meeting of Central Asian transport ministers and a session dedicated to the CASCA+ (Central Asia–South Caucasus) transport corridor, focused on enhancing connectivity and access to European markets.
According to Makhkamov, delegations from five countries — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan — discussed the creation of a digital platform designed to streamline logistics, remove border bottlenecks, and reduce transit times.
“We agreed to turn Central Asia into a unified transport hub — a single zone with no border obstacles and an efficient digital system for freight movement,” Makhkamov said.
The CASCA+ corridor, connecting Central Asia with the South Caucasus and Europe, is gaining renewed importance amid declining use of the northern route due to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Makhkamov added that Uzbekistan is advancing the Trans-Afghan multimodal corridor and the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, whose construction began in July 2024.
“Europe remains our main direction. Trade will rely on the emerging CASCA+ route. Before the railway is completed, we must address challenges like the Caspian Sea’s falling water level and the shortage of ferries,” he noted.
The initiative marks a major step toward creating an integrated Central Asian transport network and establishing the region as a key logistics hub between East and West.
According to Makhkamov, delegations from five countries — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan — discussed the creation of a digital platform designed to streamline logistics, remove border bottlenecks, and reduce transit times.
“We agreed to turn Central Asia into a unified transport hub — a single zone with no border obstacles and an efficient digital system for freight movement,” Makhkamov said.
The CASCA+ corridor, connecting Central Asia with the South Caucasus and Europe, is gaining renewed importance amid declining use of the northern route due to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Makhkamov added that Uzbekistan is advancing the Trans-Afghan multimodal corridor and the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, whose construction began in July 2024.
“Europe remains our main direction. Trade will rely on the emerging CASCA+ route. Before the railway is completed, we must address challenges like the Caspian Sea’s falling water level and the shortage of ferries,” he noted.
The initiative marks a major step toward creating an integrated Central Asian transport network and establishing the region as a key logistics hub between East and West.
Powered by Froala Editor