Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed the law “On the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in jointly promoting the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project”, signed on 6 June 2024 in Beijing.

The Kyrgyz parliament ratified it on 19 June 2024.

The purpose of the law is to carry out internal state procedures necessary for the entry into force of an agreement between the government of China, the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and the government of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, the press service of the head of Kyrgyzstan reported.

The railway route passes through mountainous terrain at the following points: Kashgar - Torugart - Makmal - Jalal-Abad - Andijan. Construction is expected to begin in October 2024.

It is planned that by 2023 the annual volume of transportation on the new railway will reach 8 million tons, by 2024 – 10 million tons, and by 2050 – 13.5 million tons. 

As a result, the delivery time for goods will be reduced by 7 days. Uzbekistan can receive economic benefits from cargo transit in the amount of US$150-200 million per year.

The project will significantly improve export-import relations not only for Uzbekistan, but also for Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and other countries in the region, providing significant transit opportunities and linking China with the Hindustan Peninsula by one railway line, which was previously only possible by sea.

The new railway will also give Central Asia access to the Pacific Ocean through China, and China access to the Persian Gulf.

The design and construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will be carried out by the Chinese company China Railway International.

The parties intend to create a Joint Project Company on the territory of Kyrgyzstan in accordance with local legislation. This will optimize interaction between the participating countries. China’s share in the company will be 51%, Kyrgyzstan - 24.5% and Uzbekistan - 24.5%.