BAKU, Azerbaijan, September
25. Uzbekistan is increasing freight transport
along the Middle Corridor with Azerbaijan's participation, Minister
of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov
said at the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum held in
Baku today, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
According to him, global conflicts and geopolitical changes have
impacted Uzbekistan's transport and logistics connections with
European and Gulf countries.
The minister noted that, as a landlocked country and one that is
doubly landlocked, Uzbekistan faces a number of challenges
regarding transport and logistics.
"Due to global conflicts and geopolitical shifts, the time
required to transport goods from Uzbekistan to Europe or the Gulf
states has doubled; while it previously took about 10 days, it now
takes at least 20 days," Kudratov pointed out.
According to him, active cooperation with Azerbaijan along the
Middle Corridor is underway to address these challenges.
"The volume of cargo transported via Azerbaijan has doubled over
the past two to three years. This year alone, an increase of about
30% has been recorded in this figure," the minister said.
Kudratov also noted that Uzbekistan, together with Azerbaijan,
is investing in the expansion of ferry infrastructure on the
Caspian Sea and the creation of new transport opportunities through
the Zangezur Corridor, Nakhchivan, and railway connections.
According to the minister, trade and investment ties between
Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries are also developing rapidly.
"Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries has
currently reached $13 billion. Our goal is to raise this figure to
$20 billion by 2030," he emphasized.
He announced that cooperation is not limited to expanding trade;
developing mutual industrial partnerships is also a key
priority.
"Uzbekistan is investing in Azerbaijan's textile and automotive
industries, while Azerbaijan is investing in Uzbekistan's mining,
real estate, and energy sectors," said Kudratov.
The minister noted that one of the main objectives is to
transform the region into a unified and attractive business
environment for foreign investors through the joint efforts of
Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries.
Kudratov also touched upon issues regarding energy security and
the development of green energy.
"Uzbekistan has attracted significant capital to the renewable
energy sector. Currently, the share of green energy in generation
capacity has reached 30%. Plans are in place to increase this
figure to 54% by 2030," the minister stated.
According to him, this target is intended to be achieved within
an energy system that incorporates gas-based energy alongside
solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
"We are working on joint projects with Azerbaijan to transport
green electricity to Europe by leveraging the region's potential
for generating low-cost solar and wind energy. This includes the
establishment of subsea and regional power transmission lines," the
minister added.
