President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has recently approved the creation of a free trade zone, “Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan,” signaling a new era of economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a decree signed by President Mirziyoyev, the free trade zone will be established in the Shavat district of the Khorezm region. This initiative aims to facilitate the sale of products exclusively manufactured in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan within the designated area.
The zone will feature modern infrastructure for storage, sorting, marketing, and transportation of goods, along with other essential services. Business entities will have the opportunity to acquire buildings and structures within the zone through online auctions.
To streamline operations, a single window center will be established to provide entrepreneurs with customs, tax, certification, phytosanitary, veterinary, and transport services. Additionally, facilities such as banking and currency exchange points, hotels, and a first-aid post will be set up to support business activities.
Foreign citizens and stateless individuals residing in Uzbekistan will have access to the zone through a dedicated checkpoint. Once inside, both people and vehicles will enjoy unrestricted movement.
The establishment of this free trade zone builds upon the agreement signed between the governments of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in October 2021, aimed at creating and regulating the Uzbek-Turkmen border trade zone and shopping center.
