Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have reached an agreement to implement an electronic permit exchange system for freight transportation, according to the Ministry of Transport. 

The new system, known as E-permit, is designed to streamline the permit process for cross-border goods transportation, providing a digital alternative to the traditional paper-based approach.

The agreement was established during a working meeting held on October 29 in Bukhara, attended by representatives from both countries’ transport departments. The E-permit system aims to simplify the procedures for freight carriers, thereby accelerating transportation operations and enhancing regional trade connectivity.

In addition to the digital system, both parties discussed and agreed on measures to address ongoing challenges faced by Uzbek freight carriers while traveling through Turkmenistan. To support swift and effective resolution of these issues, they have decided to establish an interagency working group tasked with addressing any emerging concerns in real-time.

A notable aspect of the agreement is the decision to set transportation fees and service charges on a parity basis, ensuring equal treatment for national carriers from both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Starting in 2025, the transport fees for carriers from each country will be standardized, fostering fair and transparent conditions for both sides.

The initiative between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan follows Uzbekistan’s first implementation of the E-permit system with Turkey on November 11, 2022, as part of a broader effort led by the Uzbek Ministry of Transport to expedite transportation processes and boost trade volume. Additionally, in January, the President of Uzbekistan mandated improvements in the visa procedures for Uzbek freight carriers operating abroad, highlighting the importance of overcoming logistical hurdles. Following this directive, the Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Makhkamov, received warnings concerning unresolved logistics challenges.

Regional collaboration on electronic permits has gained momentum, with Kazakhstan expressing interest in establishing an E-permit exchange with Uzbekistan earlier this year. In February, Aigul Kuspan, Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan, emphasized the principle of “complementing rather than competing.” In March, Kazakhstan announced the issuance of digital permits for entry into Uzbekistan, and in April, both nations conducted an exchange of initial permit quotas and officially launched the E-permit system.