Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Launch Construction of Major Central Asian Logistics Hub

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have officially commenced the construction of a major Multifunctional Modern Logistics Center (MMLC) in the Tashkent region, marking a significant step in regional infrastructure development. The project, one of the largest private initiatives in Central Asia, is designed to enhance transit capacity and economic integration.

The signing of an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract between the joint venture Silkway CA and China Railway Construction Engineering Group has moved the project from planning to active implementation. The contract covers a full turnkey solution, including design, equipment supply, construction of railway infrastructure, a container terminal, and commissioning of the entire complex.

General Director of Silkway CA Daniyar Tiesov emphasized the strategic importance of the hub during the signing ceremony. "The signing of the EPC contract marks a transition from strategic agreements to the practical implementation of a large-scale project," he stated. "We are creating a modern logistics hub that will strengthen Central Asia's transit potential and become a key link in Eurasian transport corridors. For us, this is not just construction—it is a long-term investment in regional economic development and international trade."

Tian Zhenhua, Deputy General Director for Central Asia at China Railway Construction Engineering Group, assured that all work would be carried out in accordance with international standards for quality, technology, and timelines.

The MMLC is being developed on a 159.4-hectare site as part of an intergovernmental agenda between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Its launch was formally initiated in November last year by Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who highlighted its strategic role in developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

The project's total implementation period spans from 2025 to 2030. The first phase is scheduled for completion in 2027 with investments exceeding $84 million. Its primary objectives are to develop regional export potential, expand transit capabilities, and increase the share of containerized rail freight.

Upon completion, the center will bolster Uzbekistan's and Kazakhstan's positions as key transit nodes connecting China with Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. It will complement existing international infrastructure within related holdings.

The project is being executed by Silkway CA LLP—a joint venture established in March 2025 in partnership with JSC Uzbekiston Temir Yollari (Uzbekistan Railways). The signing of this EPC contract represents a pivotal move toward creating a new Eurasian logistics architecture.