BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 11. Some 114
transport infrastructure projects worth about $72 billion are
currently underway or being planned in Central Asia, Aidos Omarov,
Senior Analyst at the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Center for
Integration Studies, said, Trend's correspondent reports.


He made the remarks during an online presentation of the
analytical report “Transport Corridor Infrastructure in Eurasia:
Development Results and Key Investment Trends.”


“This is already a fairly large investment portfolio for the
Eurasian region. The largest share is accounted for by Kazakhstan,
the region's largest economy and an important transit territory
between China and Europe. Significant programs are also being
implemented in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Central Asia as a whole
has a unique location at the intersection of major regions,
including China, the Middle East and Europe. At the same time, all
countries in the region are landlocked, and most freight
transportation is carried out by land,” Omarov said.


He noted that the largest volume of investment is expected to go
toward roads. Central Asia has an extensive road network that
requires significant resources to maintain its condition, as well
as to build new roads to strengthen trade and economic ties among
the countries. Road projects account for more than half of total
investment in the region, at $40.6 billion.


Omarov added that railways rank second, accounting for about 30%
of total investment.







“This type of transport is extremely important for container
transportation, which forms the basis of transit flows through
Central Asia. The development of transit transportation is also one
of the important priorities for most Central Asian countries in the
medium term,” he said.


According to Omarov, more than $5 billion will be invested in
air transport infrastructure, including the development of
airports, terminals and other facilities. Major projects include
the modernization of Almaty Airport and the construction of a new
airport in Tashkent.


He noted that investments are also being directed toward
warehouses and logistics centers, which form an important part of
the region’s transport infrastructure.