Uzbekistan signs deal for Poti port logistics hub in Middle Corridor push

September 23, 2026 at 12:25 AM2 min

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Uzbekistan and Georgia signed an agreement to establish Uzbek warehousing and transport facilities at the Black Sea port of Poti, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's office said on September 21. The deal is part of Tashkent's broader Middle Corridor strategy to diversify export routes for textiles, chemicals, agriculture, and mining. Uzbekistan is also exploring investments in Caspian ports at Aktau, Turkmenbashi, and Baku, as well as the planned Georgian port of Anaklia.

Key Facts

Uzbekistan and Georgia signed an agreement to establish Uzbek warehousing and transport facilities at the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti.
Uzbekistan plans to participate in the expansion of Caspian port infrastructure at Aktau in Kazakhstan, Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan, and Baku in Azerbaijan.
Uzbekistan is seeking access to the planned Georgian port of Anaklia, a project facing financing uncertainty and construction delays.
The share of the shadow economy in freight transportation in Uzbekistan exceeds 42 percent, according to the presidential statement.
Uzbekistan aims to double the volume of transport services by 2030 and increase service exports to $5.7 billion.

Port and Rail Expansion

Uzbek and Georgian officials signed an agreement to establish Uzbek warehousing and transport facilities at the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti, with a feasibility study being planned. Uzbek trade officials also plan to participate in the expansion of Caspian port infrastructure at Aktau in Kazakhstan, Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan, and Baku on the sea's western shore. Uzbekistan is angling for access to the planned Georgian port of Anaklia, a project plagued by financing uncertainty and construction delays. Uzbekistan first announced its interest in obtaining a stake in Anaklia following President Mirziyoyev's state visit to Georgia in early July. Uzbekistan is developing plans to fully electrify its domestic freight rail network and add high-speed rail sections, while improving infrastructure at airports across the country.

Digitalization and Shadow Economy

Uzbekistan's strategy includes digitalization of freight transport to reduce transit times and curb the shadow economy. The share of the shadow economy in freight transportation exceeds 42 percent, according to the presidential statement. Officials intend to establish a unified digital transport system and registry, develop real-time tracking capabilities for cross-border transit, and create a comprehensive electronic permit database. The government aims to double the volume of transport services by 2030 and increase service exports to $5.7 billion.