In Samarkand, the transport authorities of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan concluded another round of talks. Following the meeting, the sides agreed on measures aimed at sharply increasing cargo flows. The key agenda item was launching pilot shipments along the China–Tajikistan–Uzbekistan multimodal route. This was reported by upl.uzreports.
A meeting of the Joint Commission on International Road Transport took place earlier this week. The Uzbek delegation was led by First Deputy Minister of Transport Mamanbiy Omarov, while Tajikistan was represented by Deputy Head of the relevant agency Shoista Saidmurodzoda. The parties discussed in detail the technical aspects of using the two countries’ transit potential.
The main focus was on the capacity of the “Jartepa–Sarazm” border crossing point. The current infrastructure requires modernization amid growing cargo volumes, especially given plans to integrate the China direction into the system, making the issue even more pressing.
Alongside operational matters, the meeting also raised the issue of speeding up paperwork. Tashkent and Dushanbe are considering fully switching international road transport permits (E-permit) to an electronic format. Experts see this as a solution that reduces border waiting times and lowers corruption risks.
Increasing the quota for permit forms was also on the agenda. This indicates the sides expect mutual trade and cargo turnover to grow in 2026.
Against the backdrop of the talks, a recent visit to the region by the head of the Communications and Information Policy Department of the Executive Office of the Presidential Administration was also mentioned. Last week, Saida Mirziyoyeva reviewed the project of a trade and logistics center being built in Urgut district of Samarkand region, in an area adjacent to the Tajikistan border.
This complex is seen as a new “anchor point” for the border economy. By capacity, the terminal could serve up to 100 heavy trucks per day, and customs clearance is said to be carried out under an expedited procedure.
Border-area integration will not be limited to logistics alone. The plan also includes launching a diagnostic medical center and a large shopping complex: the medical center is expected to receive 150–200 patients per day, while the retail area is projected to create jobs for 800 entrepreneurs.
A notable feature of the new complex is simplified entry procedures. It is planned that Tajik citizens will be able to access the market rows and medical facilities on the Uzbek side without standard passport control, which should reduce queues and excessive paperwork, and help boost cross-border trade and social ties.
For reference: the Sarazm settlement on the Tajik side is considered one of Central Asia’s oldest sedentary settlements (4th–2nd millennia BCE) and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to historical sources, it was an ancient metallurgy center and trade crossroads that connected interregional ties long before the Great Silk Road took shape.
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