Uzbekistan's freight volumes along the Middle Corridor have doubled in five years, highlighting the growing importance of Azerbaijan and the Port of Baku as key links in its trade routes to Europe.
According to Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry, cargo transported along the Middle Corridor reached 1.2 million tonnes in 2025, twice the volume recorded five years ago.
The route has also become increasingly important for Uzbekistan’s trade with the European Union. Its share of Uzbekistan’s EU-bound freight turnover has risen from 12 per cent in 2021 to 28 per cent.
Tashkent and Baku are seeking to strengthen transport connections between Central Asia, the South Caucasus and European markets.
The Uzbek Foreign Ministry outlined several priorities, including accelerating the launch of a joint Caspian Sea fleet, linking the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to the Middle Corridor and expanding digital transport systems.
Digital tools, including e-Permit, e-CMR and eTIR, are expected to streamline freight operations and make cross-border trade more efficient.
The Middle Corridor is also central to expanding economic ties between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Bilateral trade has tripled over the past five years, with both countries aiming to increase trade turnover to $1 billion by 2030.
A joint investment company with $500 million in capital is also operating between the two countries.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified the Middle Corridor as a key route connecting the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Subir Lall, deputy director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, said stronger regional transport networks depend not only on physical infrastructure but also on what he described as “soft infrastructure”.
Lall warned that even well-developed roads and transport links can be held back by lengthy customs procedures and border clearance requirements.
He called for greater coordination of regulations and procedures among countries along the route to reduce delays, improve efficiency and ensure the economic benefits of regional connectivity are more widely shared.
Uzbekistan also pointed to Azerbaijan’s participation in the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia as a step towards creating a more integrated transport network across Eurasia.
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