The technical-economic basis of the railway to be built from China to Uzbekistan is ready, the Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov, who was interviewed by Kun.uz after the business forum in Xi’an, China, said. According to him, Chinese companies can start production of freight cars and electric buses in Uzbekistan.
On May 18, the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will be held in Xi’an, China, and on May 19, the Central Asia-China summit will be held.
Before the visit, an Uzbekistan-China business forum was held in Xi’an on May 17. The Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov, who gave an interview to Kun.uz correspondent during the forum, gave information about new projects in cooperation with the People’s Republic of China.
The long awaited new transport corridor
One of the most important issues is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project. According to Ilhom Mahkamov, the development of the technical-economic basis of this railway was completed with the project institute under the Chinese Railways.
“Today, together with our Kyrgyz and Chinese colleagues, we are signing a separate “roadmap” on how to take new steps in this construction in practical terms,” he said.
Production of freight cars
According to Ilhom Mahkamov, an agreement was reached with the Chinese side to open a JV for the production of freight cars in Uzbekistan.
“This provides an opportunity to reduce the cost and increase the production volume. First of all, freight cars are produced. At the next stage, we have started to consider the issue of production of passenger cars as well,” the minister said.
Electric buses to other regions as well
An agreement was concluded with the Chinese companies King Long and Yutong on the delivery of 1,000 buses to Uzbekistan. Mahkamov said that nearly 600 buses have been delivered in recent weeks, and the remaining 400 will be delivered by the end of May.
“In addition, it is agreed that Yutong company will produce electric buses in Uzbekistan,” the head of the Transport Ministry said.
According to him, the presentation of the first 6 electric buses brought from China took place within the framework of the conference of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Samarkand. It is expected that 100 such electric buses will be purchased for the cities of Samarkand and Nukus within 2 months.
