Official: construction work on China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to begin in 2024, with an investment of $8 billion

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will not only connect these three countries, but will further expand to international markets such as South Asia, West Asia, and Europe, opening the door to the vast Eurasian market for Central Asian countries

Preparations for the launch of the railway project that will connect Kyrgyzstan, China, and Uzbekistan have been successfully completed, with all the necessary formalities in place, and construction is expected to begin in 2024, Prime Minister Akhbek Zaparov announced at a recent agribusiness forum.

The railway route will start from the city of Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Province, exit the country through the Turgat Pass, cross Kyrgyzstan and finally arrive in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan.

The construction of this major infrastructure project will further strengthen transportation links between China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, promoting economic development and regional trade.

The total length of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is about 580 kilometers. Of these, the section in China is about 200 kilometers, the section in Kyrgyzstan is about 320 kilometers, and the section in Uzbekistan is about 60 kilometers. The Kyrgyz section accounts for about 55 percent of the mileage and has to cross mountainous areas.

According to the prime minister of the Kyrgyz government, the total investment required to build the railway is expected to be $8 billion, according to the preliminary schedule. Once completed, Kyrgyzstan will be able to earn about $200 million a year from goods passing through its territory.

In March 2024, Kyrgyz President Zaparov met with China State Railway Group deputy general manager Wang Tongjun and his delegation. The two sides reached an important consensus on promoting the construction of the railway between China and Kyrgyzstan and other issues.

Kyrgyz President Zaparov revealed that China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are actively promoting the construction of the railway project. The Kyrgyz side said it will do its best to ensure completion of the project within the next few years.

The three sides have reached a consensus on the implementation mechanism, which will adopt the "build-operate-transfer" mode, with the three railway companies jointly financing the formation of a joint project company.

The establishment of this cooperation mode will contribute to the smooth implementation and operation of the project and further promote connectivity and economic development in Central Asia.