Uzbekistan, a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, signs infrastructure and export agreements worth $3.5 billion with China
According to Tashkent city authorities, the third Uzbekistan-China regional forum concluded in Xi'an, China, where Tashkent signed investment and export agreements exceeding $3.5 billion with Chinese partners.
These agreements include $3.35 billion in investment projects and $156 million in export contracts, covering areas such as infrastructure, transportation, construction, environmental technology, and industrial production.
Officials stated that these agreements aim to modernize urban infrastructure in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, improving transportation systems, public spaces, environmental services, and industrial capacity.
At a time when China's economic influence in Uzbekistan is expanding, Dunyo news agency reported that speakers at the Xi'an forum noted bilateral trade reached $18 billion last year, with total Chinese investments in Uzbekistan amounting to $17 billion.
China has become one of Uzbekistan’s most important economic partners, with cooperation extending beyond trade and construction into transportation, energy, industry, and urban development. Dunyo's coverage of the forum also highlighted that the Xi'an meeting is part of a broader initiative to establish direct links between Uzbek regions and Chinese provinces, not limited solely to central government-level agreements.
Among the planned major projects are a $1 billion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, overpasses, and road infrastructure project under an EPC+F financing model; and another $1 billion transportation and social infrastructure project. Additional agreements include $500 million for modernizing residential districts and $400 million for drainage, irrigation, and stormwater systems.
The municipal government stated that funding is expected to come from Chinese partners, without direct use of Uzbekistan’s national budget or sovereign guarantees, although repayment will still depend on future municipal revenues. These projects are structured under the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) model.
This financing structure is significant because many large-scale projects fall under municipal rather than national jurisdiction. It allows Tashkent to advance upgrades to major roads, drainage, and transportation facilities while packaging them as externally financed initiatives. However, if future city revenues are used to service loans, such projects may still generate long-term debt.
The forum also focused on the development of the Yangi Avlod Industrial Zone in Tashkent. Tashkent signed agreements worth $130 million with several Chinese companies, including Jwise, Zhongke Honghu, CAS Cloud, and UMGG. These projects are expected to support manufacturing infrastructure, digital management systems, and high-tech industrial production in the capital.
Yangi Avlod has been promoted as one of Tashkent’s primary zones for industrial expansion. According to the zone’s official website, it is located in the Yangi Hayot district, with a planned area of 764.5 hectares, serving as an integrated industrial zone featuring logistics, warehousing, administrative, and commercial infrastructure.
Other agreements include investments in decorative stone manufacturing, ceramic production, and smart waste sorting equipment.
Export contracts signed during the forum include three jewelry export deals totaling $150 million, along with transactions involving cotton yarn and silver concentrate supply.
In addition, during an official visit to China, Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umurzakov met with executives from China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), discussing urban renovation projects, transportation infrastructure, and waste treatment facilities.
According to Tashkent city authorities, the discussions included plans for constructing new toll highways in the capital, including a nearly 100-kilometer ring road and another toll expressway connecting downtown Tashkent with the planned future international airport.
The two sides also explored potential collaboration on schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and other social infrastructure projects, which would be built according to modern environmental and architectural standards.
Chinese enterprise representatives said they are interested in studying these proposals and expanding practical cooperation with the Tashkent municipal government.
Source: Central Asian Times
Author: Sodikat Jalolova
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866518496920648/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.