Samarqand Airport Proposed as ECO Aviation Hub

Samarqand Airport may become an aviation hub for the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), according to a declaration adopted at the ECO transport ministers’ meeting, Orda.kz reports, citing Gazeta.uz.

The declaration includes Uzbekistan’s proposals — notably, the establishment of a Digital Transport and Customs Office in Tashkent and recognition of Samarqand Airport as a regional aviation hub.

Ministers also discussed improving multimodal transport corridors, promoting digitalization in logistics, and simplifying cross-border trade.

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov reaffirmed initiatives previously proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, including developing the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye transport corridor and streamlining tariffs and customs procedures.

A memorandum was also signed between Uzbekistan and Iran to support Uzbek private sector involvement in developing Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port and logistics center.

ECO member states include Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.