SCO Advances Digital Transport and Trade Corridors

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The 13th meeting of transport ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held in Bishkek under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship, focusing on key issues of cooperation in the transport sector.

Participants discussed the introduction of modern digital solutions, the development of sustainable transport corridors, and enhanced interagency coordination within the organization.

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov noted that the global logistics system is undergoing structural transformation, with traditional routes being reassessed. He emphasized that the role of Central Asia in the international transport network continues to grow.

In this context, he said Uzbekistan is implementing a long-term strategy to position itself as a land-based transport bridge connecting East and West as well as North and South.

Special attention was given to the development of transport infrastructure and the digitalization of logistics processes within the SCO framework. Among the priority initiatives is the creation of a unified digital platform for managing international multimodal freight transportation.

The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project was also discussed. Makhkamov underlined that the railway holds strategic importance not only for the three participating countries but for the entire SCO region, as it will shorten transport routes between East Asia, Europe, and the Gulf states.

In the area of digitalization, the minister highlighted the importance of introducing the E-Permit system, electronic document flow, and the creation of a unified digital space. These measures are expected to accelerate transport procedures, reduce costs, and eliminate administrative barriers at borders.

Following the meeting, participants signed a protocol of the session, a memorandum of understanding on the digitalization of permits for international road transport among SCO transport agencies, and approved the establishment of a special working group on transport cooperation.