Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, on 26 April, a discussion and presentation of the first-of-its-kind annual report - Uzbekistan Logistics report - took place in Tashkent. 

The Uzbekistan Logistics report provides a comprehensive analysis of the air, rail, road and warehousing markets in Central Asia's fastest-growing economy. Representatives from the logistics industry, international organizations and think tanks attended the event, organized by Centrum Logistics Group, the only third-party logistics provider in Uzbekistan and the main initiator of this research initiative.

Centrum Logistics Group has released a first-of-its-kind annual report charting key trends in the country's logistics sector. The Uzbekistan Logistics Report provides comprehensive analysis of the air, rail, road and warehousing markets in Central Asia's fastest-growing economy.

While declining demand poses a challenge to the logistics sector in many countries, the demand forecast in Uzbekistan remains strong. According to the latest World Bank estimates, GDP growth in the Europe and Central Asia region will be 2.7% in 2025. It is noteworthy that Uzbekistan's GDP growth forecast of 5.8% is the highest in the region.

Further development of the logistics sector is critical to Uzbekistan's growth prospects. To compensate for the lack of access to the sea, new investments are being made to develop air, rail and road communications. A new report details Uzbekistan's efforts to improve the capacity and competitiveness of its logistics sector.

According to World Bank estimates, the total demand for freight transport in Uzbekistan is 194.6 million tons and 77.6 billion ton-kilometers. To meet this demand, policymakers have focused on developing five major international logistics hubs—Angren, Navoi, Pap, Tashkent and Termez—located at critical transport hubs.

One of the biggest challenges facing Uzbekistan's logistics sector is that demand continues to outstrip the supply of freight and warehousing services, resulting in rising costs and diminished ability to respond to new geopolitical realities or market opportunities. Logistics services in Uzbekistan are poised for growth, but investment, modernization and a clear strategy are needed to unlock their full potential.

Uzbekistan's trade turnover is also growing in response to large-scale economic reforms. Significant growth is observed in trade turnover with China, which reached a record level of $14 billion in 2023, compared to $9.7 billion in 2022.

The report also provides information on how the introduction of new technologies is serving as a growth catalyst for the Uzbek logistics sector. Companies in Uzbekistan are gradually abandoning doing business on paper and moving towards full digitalization and automation. Logistics companies, from startups to state-owned enterprises, are increasingly using technology to increase efficiency, streamline operations and ultimately reduce costs.

Bobur Sirojiddinov, CEO of Centrum Logistics Group, explained that the new report on the logistics sector is intended to support its development in Uzbekistan.

“Our comprehensive report highlights the strategic path for development of the logistics sector in Uzbekistan. It provides stakeholders with a clear vision of the enormous opportunities and practical steps required to elevate our logistics capabilities to world class levels. By leveraging our country’s unique geographic location and introducing technological innovation, we will be able to turn challenges into growth and position Uzbekistan as a central hub in international trade,” said Bobur Sirojiddinov.

Centrum Logistics Group is making its own investments to strengthen its position in the logistics sector of Uzbekistan. The group of companies showed strong growth: cargo turnover amounted to 61,234 TEU in 2023 compared to 44,916 TEU in 2022.