Uzbekistan is cooperating with the UAE to develop the Trans-Afghan Railway to strengthen cross-border trade flows between Asia and Europe, according to Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan. Speaking during a panel discussion at Investopia Bridge 2026 in Abu Dhabi, Kudratov stated that the project links South Asia with the Eurasian landmass and could allow goods transported between India and Europe to arrive roughly two weeks faster than via traditional routes.
Kudratov explained that Uzbekistan is actively coordinating with international partners, including the UAE and France, to introduce alternative transport corridors and diversify existing trade routes. As part of these efforts, he noted that construction began about a year and a half ago on a major railway line connecting China, Uzbekistan, and GCC countries. The corridor is designed to shorten existing freight routes by approximately 900 kilometres and reduce East-West shipment transit times by at least 10 days.
Addressing economic indicators, Kudratov reported that Uzbekistan's average GDP growth exceeds 7%, having reached 7.7% in the previous year and 8.5% during the first half of the current year. He added that the country's GDP has doubled over the past nine years, with an official objective to double it again by 2030, supported by sustained interest from foreign investors.
Sources
- UrduPoint · 2026-10-07
