In their opinion article for The Times of Central Asia, co-authored with Farrukh Yunuskhojaev, Odilbek Manabov examines what will determine whether the railway delivers lasting economic gains for communities along its route. Moving beyond discussions of transit volumes and shorter international connections, they focus on opportunities for local producers, businesses and workers in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn and Jalal-Abad regions and Uzbekistan’s Andijan region.

The authors argue that improved connectivity alone will not guarantee local development. Affordable and transparent tariffs, access to terminals for small consignments, efficient border procedures and connections between production sites and stations will be essential. Warehouses, cold storage and processing facilities could help producers retain more value locally, while training programmes introduced before operations begin would better prepare residents for permanent employment in railway services, customs and logistics.

The opinion also calls for a more accountable approach to assessing the project’s impact. Alongside transit figures, the authors recommend tracking local freight participation, delivery costs, permanent jobs, wages and procurement from local firms. They emphasise the importance of disclosing environmental assessments and resettlement plans, arguing that the railway’s success should be measured by tangible improvements in neighbouring communities as well as its role in international trade.

Read in The Times of Central Asia

* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.