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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.

Digitalization

Kazakhstan to Launch Unified Construction Portal in 2026

Kazakhstan will launch a unified electronic platform for the construction sector on January 1, 2026, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev announced. The digital system aims to streamline operations for both developers and homebuyers by consolidating multiple existing databases into a single portal. Presenting the draft of the new Construction Code to parliament, Nagaspayev said the industry currently relies on several fragmented information systems, creating confusion and inefficiencies. “The new portal has already been developed and passed an information security audit. The only remaining step is to integrate two systems, private and state expertise. We expect full implementation by January,” the minister told the Mazhilis. The Construction Code introduces several digital innovations, including a unique identifier for every construction project, enabling traceability throughout its lifecycle. “If we compare it to everyday life, this unique number is similar to an individual identification number (IIN) for people,” Nagaspayev explained. “It will be assigned automatically at the planning stage within the state urban development cadastre and will remain in the system until the building’s demolition.” This measure will help homeowners access electronic documentation even years after a building’s completion. Currently, many property owners struggle to retrieve original technical or project documents required for renovations or modernization. The system will also include an electronic registry of licensed construction companies, listing only those that have undergone official accreditation. Nagaspayev acknowledged that a significant number of companies and licenses exist only on paper, lacking real production capacity or qualified personnel. “This situation poses risks to construction quality and safety, encourages fictitious participation in public procurement, and distorts the real picture of employment and business activity in the sector,” he said. The new registry will enable authorities to audit existing licenses and integrate the data with other government databases for automated compliance checks. It will also introduce joint liability among market participants, with the potential to suspend or ban companies that commit serious violations. Nagaspayev also announced plans to introduce certification for construction engineers, modeled on European Union practices and adapted to Kazakhstan’s legal framework. “This certification process will be handled in a competitive environment by market participants,” he noted. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan faces a growing labor shortage in the construction sector. Some industry stakeholders are calling for simplified procedures to attract migrant workers to meet rising demand.

Construction

Small Firms Power Kyrgyz Construction Surge

The turnover of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kyrgyzstan’s construction sector has increased 2.5 times over the past five years, according to national statistics. Medium-sized and small businesses have become key drivers of growth in one of the country’s most important economic sectors. In 2020, the volume of work performed by SMEs in construction amounted to 70 billion KGS ($802 million). By the end of 2024, this figure had risen to 185 billion KGS ($2.1 billion). Role of Individual Entrepreneurs More than half of total construction output in 2024 was attributed to individual entrepreneurs. Their main advantage lies in the ability to respond quickly to shifting demand in the housing and infrastructure markets. Their contribution was estimated at 95 billion KGS ($1.08 billion). Small construction firms also recorded substantial growth, tripling their output to 65 billion KGS ($745 million) in 2024. Medium-sized companies posted the fastest expansion: in 2022, they delivered projects worth 7.8 billion KGS ($90 million), rising to 25.2 billion KGS ($289 million) in 2024. Sector Growth Outpaces the Economy The Eurasian Economic Commission previously reported a 40% increase in Kyrgyzstan’s construction sector during the first half of 2025. In the first five months of the year alone, construction volumes nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2024. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyz authorities have designated construction as a strategic priority for national development. Investment in residential housing, infrastructure, and social facilities quadrupled in the first five months of 2025, reaching $800 million. Kyrgyzstan’s GDP grew by 11.5% in the first seven months of 2025, with construction contributing 3 percentage points and the services sector accounting for approximately 5 percentage points.

Construction

Kyrgyzstan Prepares for High-Rise Era with Plans for 40-Storey Towers

Kyrgyzstan is preparing to enter the era of high-rise construction, according to Minister of Construction Nurdan Oruntaev, who spoke in a recent interview with state media. The ministry is currently working to create favorable conditions for investors in the sector, and the first major investor has already been identified. At present, the tallest building in Kyrgyzstan stands at 27 storeys. Oruntaev confirmed that the country is ready to go higher: one 35-storey project is already in progress, and a Chinese company, whose name has not been disclosed, has received a license to build a 40-storey skyscraper in Bishkek. The minister emphasized that all developers must demonstrate full financial independence and adhere strictly to seismic safety standards. “Thanks to new technologies and software, structural calculations are thoroughly verified before construction begins. We have reviewed the preliminary project and confirmed that the country is fully capable of building such structures. Kyrgyzstan should not lag behind others in this area,” Oruntaev said. He cited Urumqi in neighboring China as an example, noting that despite similar seismic conditions, the city is home to buildings with 60 to 70 storeys. These developments are serving as reference models for Kyrgyz architects and engineers. “In the construction sector, the number of investors both domestic and foreign, has increased. Currently, they face no barriers. We ensure equal conditions for all,” Oruntaev added. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is experiencing strong economic momentum. In 2024, the country’s GDP grew by 9% and continues to expand steadily. The construction sector is playing a pivotal role in this growth. Under a state-led renovation program, both local companies and foreign investors are actively competing for development rights, particularly in Bishkek. The State Mortgage Company is also contributing to the surge in new projects. According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the production of construction materials has become the fastest-growing segment of the industrial sector. If high-rise construction accelerates, demand for building materials and labor is expected to rise further, unlocking additional potential for GDP growth.

Tourism

American Firm to Build Theme Park in Kyrgyzstan

U.S.-based IdeAttack, Inc. is set to build a theme park in Tokmok, a city located approximately 60 kilometers east of Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek. The Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Chui District Administration have signed a memorandum with IdeAttack, allocating a 50-hectare land plot for the park’s development. IdeAttack specializes in the planning and design of large-scale mixed-use developments, theme parks, cultural attractions, and destination resorts. The company has previously delivered projects in the United States, United Arab Emirates, China, and South Korea. The Tokmok park will feature: Architecture inspired by Central Asian fantasy Attractions based on the Kyrgyz Epic of Manas Theme zones centered on the Great Silk Road Live shows with music, dance, and theatrical performances Master classes on yurt-making, felt production, horse riding, and traditional cuisine This marks IdeAttack’s first project in both Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. The initiative is expected to boost international tourism to the region.