Construction - The Times Of Central Asia

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Tajik-Afghan Border

China to Fund Construction of Nine Border Facilities in Tajikistan Near Afghanistan

China will finance the construction of nine border facilities in Tajikistan’s frontier regions with Afghanistan, according to a project approved by Tajik lawmakers earlier this month. The plan was reviewed and adopted during a March 4 session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, the lower house of Tajikistan’s parliament, Asia-Plus reported. The construction project, valued at more than 550 million Tajikistani somoni (approximately $57,425,000), will be fully funded by the Chinese government. In turn, Tajikistan will exempt the project from taxes, customs duties, and other mandatory payments. According to Muradali Rajabzoda, first deputy chairman of Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security, the initiative is intended to strengthen the logistical and technical capabilities of the country’s border forces. Speaking during the parliamentary session, Rajabzoda said the project would be implemented in three phases, with exchange letters already signed to launch the second stage. The total construction area of the facilities is expected to reach 17,109 square meters. Rajabzoda said the Chinese government would provide the financing “on a grant basis,” meaning the funds will not need to be repaid. Although authorities have not disclosed the precise locations of the planned installations, they confirmed that the facilities will be built in Tajikistan’s border regions with Afghanistan. According to Bahriddin Ziyoi, a member of the parliamentary committee on law enforcement, defense, and security, the Chinese side will also carry out research and design work related to the project. In addition to financing construction, China is expected to supply equipment, building materials, and engineering specialists. Chinese engineers will travel to Tajikistan to install and configure technical systems at the sites. The project will also include office and residential furnishings, computers, and other equipment necessary for operating the facilities. Infrastructure development will form another component of the plan. China will assist in building access roads to the border facilities and installing water supply, drainage systems, and electricity connections. Funding from Beijing is expected to begin after internal procedures in China are completed. Tajik authorities say the exchange letters governing the project were approved by the government in November 2025 and later submitted to parliament following consultations with relevant ministries and agencies. Officials also stated that the documents underwent an anti-corruption review and no risks were identified. The new facilities follow earlier cooperation between the two countries. According to Tajik security officials, 12 border installations were constructed in 2017-2018 in Tajikistan’s frontier areas with Afghanistan with financial support from China. Security cooperation between the two countries has previously drawn international attention. In 2024, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported that China had built a secret military base in Tajikistan, citing satellite imagery and describing a facility in mountainous terrain where Chinese and Tajik forces allegedly conducted joint exercises. Tajik authorities have repeatedly rejected those claims. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that reports about a Chinese military base on Tajik territory “do not correspond to reality,” adding that the issue has not been part of bilateral discussions between the two countries. China and Tajikistan have expanded security...

SCAT Airlines

Largest Aircraft Maintenance Center in Central Asia Under Construction in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines, in partnership with Boeing, has begun construction of a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center in Shymkent. The facility is expected to become the largest aircraft maintenance complex in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia. The capsule-laying ceremony, held on February 27, was attended by Shymkent Mayor Gabit Syzdykbekov, Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev, and Boeing Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India, and South Asia Paul Righi. According to the Ministry of Transport, the center will specialize in servicing Boeing aircraft, including the Boeing 737 (Classic, NG, and MAX), Boeing 757 and 767 models, as well as the Boeing 777 widebody aircraft. The facility will occupy 10 hectares, with engineering and technical infrastructure covering 45,000 square meters. The aircraft parking area alone will span more than six hectares. The project is intended to establish a modern, internationally certified repair and maintenance base capable of servicing not only domestic carriers but also foreign airlines, thereby expanding Kazakhstan’s technical expertise and aviation services export potential. Kazakhstan’s civil aviation sector continues to demonstrate steady growth. According to the Ministry of Transport, in 2025 the country’s airports handled 31.8 million passengers, compared to 29.7 million in 2024. Cargo traffic reached 173,300 tons, up from 170,900 tons the previous year. Deputy Minister Talgat Lastayev stated that the growth in traffic has been accompanied by systematic efforts to strengthen safety oversight. Kazakhstan’s compliance with international aviation safety standards reached 95.7%, significantly exceeding global and regional averages and placing the country among the world’s top 20 performers in this category. Lastayev also noted that KazMunayGas-Aero LLP, a jet fuel supply subsidiary of the national oil and gas company KazMunayGas, has been granted direct access to airport infrastructure and has begun providing direct “into-plane” refueling services. This has reduced the average cost of jet fuel at Kazakh airports. According to the ministry, direct refueling without intermediaries has lowered jet fuel prices to below $1,000 per ton, compared to $1,200-$1,300 per ton in other countries. The new refueling mechanism was introduced on the instructions of the President of Kazakhstan to support the development of international air hubs by ensuring stable supplies of competitively priced aviation fuel. Officials say it is expected to improve the reliability of fuel supply for airlines and reinforce the country’s role as a key transit hub.

Environment

Environmental Damage Assessed at Ritz-Carlton Tashkent Construction Site

More than a dozen valuable trees have been cut down at the construction site of the Ritz-Carlton Tashkent in central Tashkent, according to Rasul Kusherbayev, adviser to the chairman of Uzbekistan’s Ecology and Climate Change Committee. Kusherbayev stated that the trees were removed from an area adjacent to the National Park in Tashkent. According to preliminary information, the felling was carried out in violation of the existing moratorium on cutting valuable tree species. He added that authorities are still determining whether additional trees were cut at the site. The land plot was reportedly allocated to Azerbaijani investors for the project. Kusherbayev also said that representatives of the construction company opposed attempts to film the tree cutting at the location. The project is being implemented by PD Estates, a joint venture linked to Azerbaijan’s Pasha Holding. The company is constructing a five-star, 150-room hotel under the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company brand, with an estimated investment of $200 million. In connection with the case, official documentation has been completed, and environmental damage has been assessed at 351,230,000 Uzbek sum (approximately $29,000). According to Uzbekistan’s Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organizations, PD Estates was registered in November 2023. The company has an authorized capital of 251.3 billion Uzbek sum (approximately $20.6 million) and specializes in construction project development. Its founders are Pasha Development, which holds a 99% stake, and Pasha Holding, which owns the remaining 1%. The company is headed by Baris Battal. The Ritz-Carlton is a luxury hospitality brand and a subsidiary of Marriott International, headquartered in Maryland, United States. It operates more than 90 hotels worldwide. According to the publication Uzdiplomat, in August 2024 Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan agreed to implement seven joint projects worth a total of $520 million. Under that framework, Pasha Development planned to build a $200 million Ritz-Carlton hotel and premium residential complex in Tashkent’s Chilanzar district. On February 29, 2024, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law strengthening penalties for illegal tree cutting. The amendments significantly increased fines for unlawful felling, introduced a mandatory requirement to plant new saplings in areas where trees have been removed, and extended financial liability to legal entities. Previously, only individuals and officials were subject to penalties. Under the new provisions, companies found guilty of illegally cutting valuable tree and shrub species face fines ranging from 100 to 300 times the base calculation amount, equivalent to approximately 34 million to 102 million Uzbek sum (about $2,800 to $8,400).

Construction

Kazakhstan Mandates BIM Design for All New Buildings

Kazakhstan has approved a digitalization plan for its construction sector that mandates the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for all new residential and commercial developments. According to the press service of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiev and Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev have jointly endorsed the 2026-2027 plan to digitize the construction industry. The initiative outlines the sector’s digital transformation across the full lifecycle of facilities from planning and design to construction, commissioning, and post-construction operation. “The plan includes a series of practical measures aimed at simplifying and accelerating construction processes,” the press service stated. “Among the priorities are mandatory BIM design, automation of public services in construction, creation of digital facility passports, and conversion of building norms and standards into machine-readable formats. These changes are expected to reduce manual processes, minimize errors, and improve predictability in project delivery.” BIM design integrates data on geometry, technical characteristics, and construction processes into a unified digital model, enabling stakeholders to coordinate changes, assess design decisions, and identify potential issues prior to construction. Its adoption is expected to enhance quality, efficiency, and coordination throughout a project’s lifespan from conception to demolition. The digitalization drive is also intended to increase transparency in the sector, reduce costs and timelines, lower administrative barriers, and improve the safety and quality of construction projects. In a related development, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently signed a new Construction Code aimed at streamlining regulations in architecture, urban planning, and construction. The code seeks to improve procedural transparency and establish uniform rules for all market participants. The document clarifies permit procedures, reinforces quality control, and standardizes construction materials and technologies. Following criticism from the business community, the Ministry of Industry and Construction revised the draft to address key concerns. Nazira Usenova, deputy chair of the board of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, noted that some provisions risked complicating processes and increasing bureaucratic burdens. “What is important for the industry is not the number of control mechanisms, but their effectiveness and predictability,” she said. Compromise solutions were ultimately reached on the most sensitive issues. Experts have cautioned, however, that some provisions will require further scrutiny during implementation.Viktor Mikryukov, president of the Association of Developers of Kazakhstan, said transparency and consistency were essential. “The new rules must not become a tool for excessive pressure on entrepreneurs. Their application must avoid broad interpretation by regulators and ensure uniformity across Kazakhstan.” Among the key agreements reached was the retention of a five-year warranty period for completed construction projects and a ten-year warranty for structural elements, including the load-bearing frame, facade, and roof. The Code also promotes self-regulation, improves engineering and technical certification standards, furthers digitization, strengthens oversight in seismic zones, expands the powers of local maslikhats, and enhances public involvement in urban planning. The Construction Code will come into force on July 1. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan launched a unified electronic construction platform on...

Airports

Uzbekistan Begins Construction of New International Airport Near Tashkent

Uzbekistan has launched one of its largest infrastructure initiatives to date, the construction of a new international airport in the Tashkent region. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurated the project, which is being implemented by an international consortium of investors. A National-Scale Project The new airport is intended to strengthen Uzbekistan’s aviation sector and establish the country as a key transit hub between East and West. “Ultimately, our goal is to turn Uzbekistan into a major aviation hub connecting East and West, North and South,” Mirziyoyev stated. He underscored that developing transport infrastructure and modernizing air traffic management remain strategic priorities. The project is being led by a consortium comprising Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia, 45%), Sojitz (Japan, 30%), Incheon International Airport Corporation (South Korea, 15%), and Uzbekistan Airports (10%). Construction will unfold in four phases. The first stage, with an estimated cost of $2.5 billion, includes building the terminal complex and airfield. Once completed, the airport will have the capacity to handle up to 20 million passengers annually, process 129,000 tons of cargo, and support up to 30 take-offs and landings per hour. It will feature 14 telescopic ramps and parking for 62 aircraft across a 1,300-hectare site in the Urtachirchik and Kuyichirchik districts of the Tashkent region. Technology, Sustainability, and Connectivity Designed to fully comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, the airport will incorporate state-of-the-art air navigation and meteorological systems to ensure operational reliability in all weather conditions. Environmental sustainability is a key focus. It will be the first airport in Central Asia constructed in line with “green” building principles. The passenger terminal will house a 46,000 square meter duty-free zone. The facility will serve as part of a broader multimodal transport hub. It will connect directly to major regional highways, Tashkent-Samarkand, Tashkent-Andijan, and Tashkent-Bostanlyk and will feature a dedicated high-speed rail station and a shuttle service linking Tashkent and the planned city of New Tashkent. Officials project that the new airport could generate more than $27 billion in revenue and create thousands of jobs across sectors including construction, tourism, and logistics. Strengthening Uzbekistan’s Regional Aviation Role Passenger traffic in Tashkent has tripled over the past eight years, reaching 9 million annually. By 2040, it is expected to rise to 24 million. The current airport, limited to 11 million passengers and constrained by its urban location, cannot be expanded, prompting the decision to pursue the new megaproject. Nationwide, Uzbekistan is upgrading seven international airports and has built new terminals in Muynak, Kokand, Zaamin, Shakhrisabz, Saryasyk, and Sohe. The aviation sector has also seen increased competition: the number of airlines has grown to 15, and the aircraft fleet has expanded from 26 to 105 units. Within five years, officials aim to boost the fleet to 180 aircraft, expand routes to 230 destinations, and increase annual flights to 200,000.

Construction

Kyrgyzstan Begins Construction of Plant to Produce Innovative Canal-Lining Material

Kyrgyzstan has launched construction of a facility to manufacture concrete canvas, a flexible, cement-based material designed to line irrigation canals, reduce water loss, and prevent erosion. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 10. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, the €20 million project is a joint initiative between the Kyrgyz government and UK-based Concrete Canvas Ltd. The plant’s first production line, scheduled for commissioning in 2027, will have an annual capacity of 7 million square meters of concrete canvas. A second line with the same capacity is planned to come online five years later. Sixty percent of the output will be allocated for domestic use, with the remaining 40% destined for export. The project is part of a broader national strategy to modernize Kyrgyzstan’s aging irrigation infrastructure amid increasing water shortages. At the launch event, Minister Bakyt Torobayev emphasized the project’s strategic importance. “Thanks to this plant, Kyrgyzstan will reduce its reliance on imports, create jobs, and open new export channels,” he said. “The country has over 30,000 kilometers of irrigation canals, 19,000 km of which are unsurfaced and 11,000 km in need of major repairs. Our goal is to upgrade the irrigation system, reduce water losses, and bring nearly 37,000 hectares of new irrigated land into cultivation.” Torobayev added that the use of concrete canvas could extend the service life of canals to between 50 and 100 years, speed up the construction of new systems, and contribute to greater food security by ensuring stable water access for farmers. By 2030, Kyrgyzstan aims to expand its irrigated farmland by 36,900 hectares. The country currently has approximately 1.023 million hectares of irrigated agricultural land.