Commercial travel to Uzbekistan jumps nearly threefold amid Afghan influx

The number of commercial trips to Uzbekistan has surged sharply, according to the National Statistics Committee.

From January through October, 362,800 foreign nationals visited the country for trade and business purposes. This represents a 2.7-fold increase, or 229,700 more people, compared with the same period of 2024, the committee said.

Afghanistan emerged as the absolute leader in this category. Over the 10 months, Afghan citizens made 339,500 commercial trips, accounting for 93.6% of the total.

Tajikistan ranked second with 16,700 trips, or 4.6% of the overall figure. Turkmenistan placed third, with 2,773 trips related to shopping or the sale of goods, representing 0.76%.

An additional 673 commercial trips to Uzbekistan were made by Russian citizens, 504 by citizens of Kazakhstan, and 492 by visitors from Turkey. Nationals of other countries accounted for just over 2,000 trips in total.

According to the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, around 400,000 Afghan citizens have visited the Airitom free trade zone near Termez since its opening in August 2024. Afghans also made up 80% of patients at the Akfa Medline clinic located within the complex.

Exports through Airitom totaled $187 million over 13 months. Once fully operational, shipments are expected to rise to $1.2 billion. Half of the traders operating in the complex say their main customers are Afghan citizens.

About 70% of shoppers surveyed by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms said goods in the Airitom zone are cheaper than at other markets. The overwhelming majority of respondents also supported 24-hour operation of the market, as well as simplified customs and border procedures.

In early December, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev ordered the opening of a direct border crossing for all citizens via the Friendship Bridge between Termez and Hairatan on the Afghan border. Border checkpoints had been closed to most types of travel since 2021.