Uzbekistan is pursuing a strategic initiative to enhance its access to international markets by developing logistics infrastructure at key ports bordering the Caspian and Black Seas. On September 21, officials announced that Uzbekistan and Georgia had reached an agreement to establish Uzbek warehousing and transport operations at the Black Sea port of Poti, with a feasibility study planned for the near future.
The country is also exploring involvement in port expansion projects at multiple locations, including Aktau in Kazakhstan, Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan, and Baku on the Caspian Sea’s western coast. Additionally, Uzbekistan has expressed interest in obtaining a stake in Georgia’s planned port of Anaklia, a project that has experienced financing challenges and construction delays since officials first announced this interest earlier this year.
According to government statements, these port developments would enable improved distribution of Uzbek exports including textiles, chemicals, agricultural products, and mining and metallurgical goods to foreign markets. Complementing these port initiatives, Uzbekistan is implementing domestic infrastructure improvements, including plans for full electrification of its freight rail network, high-speed rail development, and airport modernization across the country.
Beyond its borders, Uzbekistan is considering participation in TRIPP, a proposed trade corridor designed to facilitate goods movement from Azerbaijan through Armenia to Turkey. Officials are specifically evaluating potential investment in railway refurbishment in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave to enable access to Turkish ports. The government has also set ambitious targets, including doubling transport services by 2030 and increasing service exports to $5.7 billion.
A significant component of Uzbekistan’s strategy involves digitalization of freight operations to streamline transit processes and reduce informal economic activity. Officials have identified that undocumented shadow economy activity comprises over 42 percent of freight transportation and plan to address this through a unified digital transport system, real-time tracking capabilities, and an integrated electronic permit database.
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