The importance of digitalization in expanding regional transport capabilities in Central Asia
Central Asia is a region of strategic importance, located in the center of the Eurasian continent and serving as a point of connection between East and West, North and South.
The development of transport infrastructure is becoming one of the most pressing tasks, as the countries of the region – Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – strive to deepen economic cooperation and integration. In this regard, the process of digitalisation plays a special role.
Today, thanks to the expansion of the digitalization process in our country's transport system, a number of conveniences are being created for users of transport services. Currently, all services and the information exchange system at the Ministry of Transport have been completely converted to digital format.
In the transport sector, more than 30 information systems and platforms have been developed to date.
In particular, through the “Single Portal of Interactive Public Services” and the “Electronic Licensing System,” more than 10 public services in this area are provided entirely in electronic form. In addition, the “Dangerous Goods” information system has been launched for the electronic processing and issuance of permits for the transportation of goods classified as dangerous goods transiting through our Republic.
An information system called “Form R” has been developed, which provides for electronic coordination of flight schedules by foreign airlines when flying to our country.
In order to transfer to an electronic system and simplify the processing of cargo during transportation, as well as to create uniform conditions for cargo transportation, since 2012, Uzbekistan has been systematically and gradually working on the digitization of the international road transport system.
As a result, Uzbekistan became the first country in Central Asia to introduce TIR technology and to begin testing electronic guarantee technology for transportation under this system.
During a study by specialists from the International Road Transport Union of the time taken to pass through border crossing points within the CAREC corridors, it was established that vehicles transporting goods under the TIR system take an average of 1.1 hours, while freight transport without the TIR system takes an average of 3.1 hours.
According to financial calculations, the average cost of cargo transportation based on the TIR system at border crossing points is US$62, which is six times cheaper than for trucks transporting cargo without a TIR carnet.
During the 6th meeting of the OTG transport ministers, held in Tashkent on October 28, 2022, an electronic permit exchange system (e-Permit) was launched between the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey.
In April 2024, this system was launched with Kazakhstan, in March 2025 with Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, and the issue of introducing the system with China, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan is currently being considered.
At the same time, in December 2022, the world's first shipment using the e-TIR system was carried out in accordance with Annex 11 to the Convention between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan on international cargo transportation.
On June 3 of this year, at the 13th meeting of transport ministers of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Tehran, Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport I. Makhkamov spoke about the implementation of initiatives announced by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 16th ECO summit held in November 2023 in Tashkent.
One of the key proposals was the creation of an ECO Digital Transport and Customs Office in Tashkent, aimed at introducing modern digital solutions in logistics and unifying customs procedures.
Another striking example of Uzbekistan's active participation in the introduction of digital solutions in the transport industry is the adoption by Uzbekistan of the strategic document “Vision of the Turkic World-2040”, adopted during the Istanbul Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in 2021. In turn, the projects implemented with partner countries to introduce eTIR and ePermit systems are an indicator of the country's commitment to the digital development of its transport system.
The creation of a unified digital space for multimodal transport will reduce transit times, lower costs, and increase the volume of foreign trade. Moreover, digital technologies form the basis for the sustainable and environmentally friendly development of transport corridors, integrating rail, road, and sea routes into a single network.
Uzbekistan has already proven that it is capable not only of adapting to these changes, but also of setting the pace for their implementation. In the long term, leadership in digital logistics could turn the country into one of the key hubs of Eurasia, providing fast, safe, and transparent transport links from China to Europe and from Russia to the Middle East.
