The Prosecutor General’s Office has been ordered to investigate how funds allocated for expanding the freight car fleet are being spent and to submit proposals to make the wagon allocation system for businesses completely transparent. This directive was announced during a videoconference chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which analyzed first-half economic growth across regions and sectors and outlined key priorities for the remainder of the year.
Railways handle 70% of the country’s international trade cargo, moving a massive 46 million tons. However, it was noted that this sector faces a barrage of complaints from local entrepreneurs.
For instance, since the start of the year, railway authorities failed to supply 2,800 freight cars requested by cement manufacturers. While there are plans to manufacture an additional 1,300 cargo wagons in the second half of the year, officials stressed that this would still fall short of meeting actual market demand.
Consequently, officials were given a strict ten-day deadline to collaborate with the private sector and prepare precise calculations for leasing or importing 1,000 idle wagons from partner countries. Additionally, the meeting highlighted that the Angren–Pap, Tashguzar–Kumkurgan, and Tashkent–Samarkand railway lines are currently operating well over capacity.
To improve this struggling infrastructure, authorities have been tasked with finalizing an agreement with the World Bank by the end of the year to secure $200 million in funding for the railway network.
Furthermore, the Prosecutor General’s Office has been explicitly tasked with auditing the targeted use of funds allocated for expanding the freight car fleet. They must tightly monitor the entire distribution pipeline to businesses and propose concrete measures to ensure full transparency.
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