Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree "On the Approval of an International Treaty."

According to the decree, the Agreement on Cooperation in the Joint Implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Project between the Government of China, the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, and the Government of Uzbekistan has been approved.

This agreement was signed on 6 June 2024, in Beijing.

The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan has been appointed as the competent authority responsible for the implementation of this international treaty.

The Cabinet of Ministers and the heads of relevant ministries and agencies will oversee the implementation of the agreement after it enters into force.

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

It is planned that by 2050, the annual freight volume transported via the new railway will reach 13.5 million tons.

As a result, delivery times for goods will be reduced by 7 days. Uzbekistan stands to gain economic benefits from transit freight amounting to US$150-200 million annually.

The project will significantly improve export-import links not only for Uzbekistan but also for Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and other regional countries, providing substantial transit opportunities and connecting China with the Indian subcontinent by a single railway line, previously only possible by sea.

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

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

The parties intend to establish a Joint Project Company in Kyrgyzstan in accordance with local legislation. This will optimize cooperation among the participating countries. China will hold a 51% stake in the company, with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan each holding 24.5%.