9 Aug 2022 21:35

Uzbekistan set to create transport companies with Pakistan and Turkmenistan

TASHKENT. Aug 9 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan should set up road freight companies with Pakistan and Turkmenistan in order to find optimal routes into foreign markets, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said while attending a presentation of the development and diversification of international transport corridors on Tuesday.

"The importance has been stressed of addressing the issues related to obtaining additional permission to carry exported goods to Europe. It was proposed to create joint transport companies with Pakistan and Turkmenistan for automobile transportation," the president's press service stated.

The presentation also included a discussion of pressing issues relating to the nine export corridors for Uzbek goods, it said. The ministry of transport was instructed to work out the best possible itineraries for entrepreneurs and secure cheaper transport costs.

The number of Uzbek exporters has exceeded 7,500 since the year began, the presentation said. Exports have increased by 30 per cent to $8.2 billion. This year Uzbekistan embraced 32 new markets. The exporters' cost of transportation is partially compensated by the government, which also has increased the subsidy for transport costs for exporters of finished products to Europe from 50 per cent to 70 per cent.

"The development of transport is an important factor of making the economy more competitive. Exports and investments will increase when the cost of cargo transportation becomes low," Mirziyoyev was quoted by his press service as saying.