Uzbekistan, Georgia agree to digitize road transport permits

Uzbekistan and Georgia have agreed to fully transition to an electronic system for exchanging road transport permits and will cooperate on developing Uzbek-owned logistics infrastructure at Georgian ports, Transport Minister Ilhom Mahkamov said.

Photo: Transport Ministry

Speaking in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, Mahkamov said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit to Georgia last week had opened new opportunities for expanding transport and logistics cooperation between the two countries.

According to the minister, the two sides agreed to replace paper-based road transport permits with a fully electronic exchange system for both bilateral freight transport and shipments to third countries.

He said the new system would improve transparency, reduce processing times and make international road transport more convenient for carriers. Mahkamov noted that more than 60% of Uzbekistan's road freight operators currently transport goods through Georgia.

The countries also agreed to expand the railway discount system. Previously, discounts of up to 70% applied only to container shipments among six countries along the CASCA+ corridor. Under the new arrangement, the preferential tariffs will also be extended to other types of rail wagons.

Mahkamov said Georgia's Black Sea ports are of strategic importance for Uzbekistan because they provide direct access to global maritime shipping routes.

"We have agreed to establish our own infrastructure at these ports," the minister said.

To implement the project, Uzbekistan plans to establish a consortium of major freight forwarding companies. Working together with Uzbek exporters and importers, the consortium will oversee the development of logistics and port infrastructure in Georgia.