Iran, Uzbekistan to promote transport, transit relations

Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, hosted Uzbekistan's Energy Minister, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, and his delegation in Tehran yesterday.  

In the visit, Bazrpash proposed for forming a joint transport committee and drafting a transit roadmap based on a comprehensive transport document between the two countries which was welcomed by the Uzbek delegation as it definitely plays an important role in the development of trade relations. 

Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development pointed to different meetings between Iran and Uzbekistan for promoting transport cooperation and said we are committed to the bilateral MoUs for development of the East-West Corridor. To this end, unification of transport tariffs and soft cooperation can facilitate and accelerate transit along the East-West and North-South corridors. 

Iran transit recorded 40 percent growth in 2023 thanks to the agreements and cooperation with the regional and neighboring countries, according to Bazrpash. 

Bazrpash added that Iran is ready to export technical and engineering services to Uzbekistan for the construction of rail and road routes in Uzbekistan as per ongoing MoU in this regard.

Additionally, the two sides decided to increase flights to facilitate travels of businessmen and investors between Iran and Uzbekistan.

Mirzamakhmudov also pointing to the mutual trust between the presidents of the two countries, said: "the President of Uzbekistan attaches special importance to the development of relations with Iran, and for this purpose, we came to Iran with a delegation for a comprehensive discussion including industry, export/import, and development of transport infrastructures". 

Uzbekistan's Energy Minister added that we are interested in providing special conditions for activity and presence of Iranian companies in Uzbekistan for promoting trade. 

The volume of trade between the two countries reached $500 million in 2023, and it is expected to increase significantly in 2024 and in the medium term, according to Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov. 

Uzbekistan's Energy Minister referring to the historical and cultural affinity between the two countries said that presence of Iranian companies in Uzbekistan for implementation of projects has a priority for Uzbekistan compared to other countries as it leads to the development of transit relations. 

Previously in June 2023, Iran and Uzbekistan transport ministers signed a comprehensive transport and transit MoU in the presence of Presidents.