Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin met with Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov.

The parties discussed the prospects for the development of cooperation in the transit and transport sector, in particular, the issues of increasing cargo transportation, the development of rail and road transport, the implementation of large joint infrastructure projects.

The strategic partnership of Kazakhstan with Uzbekistan is dynamically developing in all areas, including the transit and transport sector. The Kazakh and Uzbek sides are taking measures to build up transport and logistics potential to increase the volume of mutual trade.

In January-May 2021, the trade turnover increased by 46% and amounted to $1.5 billion. Export of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Uzbekistan increased by 58.4%.

Despite the pandemic, there is an increase in indicators for all types of freight traffic between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

In the first quarter of 2021 alone, there is an increase in container traffic to 233.9 thousand TEUs with an increase of 57% compared to the same period in 2020. The volume of cargo transportation by road for 6 months of this year increased by 18% and amounted to 1.3 million tons.

The parties agreed from July 29, 2021, to open a new air service on the route Aktobe - Nukus with a frequency of 2 times a week. Currently, 32 flights a week are carried out between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed plans for the implementation of large joint infrastructure projects — the construction of a new railway line Darbaza - Makhtaaral, a high-speed highway Turkistan - Shymkent - Tashkent, etc.