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Newspaper “Rzeczpospolita”: Uzbekistan is increasingly striving to play the role of a state shaping the economic landscape of Central Asia and its immediate surroundings
Published in the authoritative Polish newspaper “Rzeczpospolita”articleunder the heading “Free trade zone in Termez, Uzbekistan - a window to Afghanistan for Polish companies”, dedicated to the growing role of Uzbekistan in the development of regional economic integration and the formation of new trade and logistics routes between Central and South Asia, reports a correspondent of Dunyo news agency.
The publication notes that Uzbekistan is consistently expanding its economic presence not only in the European direction, but is also actively developing cooperation with neighboring countries in the region. Particular attention is paid to the free trade zone "Ayritom", created in Termez on the Uzbek-Afghan border.
According to the publication, this project is becoming an important platform for the development of trade and economic ties with Afghanistan and at the same time contributes to the formation of new transport corridors connecting Central and South Asia. It is emphasized that not only Afghan but also Pakistani business circles are showing growing interest in the initiative, considering Termez as a promising logistics hub of regional importance.
The Polish publication also draws attention to the international recognition of the project. In particular, in 2025, the Airitom free zone was included among the most promising special economic zones in the world in the “Rising Stars” category of the “Global Free Zones of the Year” rating, prepared by the analytical unit fDi Intelligence.
The article pays special attention to the prospects for the implementation of joint Uzbek-Afghan projects in the textile, clothing and leather industries. According to the author, the development of processing of cotton, leather and cashmere will create new jobs and contribute to the inclusion of Afghanistan in regional production chains.
According to the Polish publication, the Airitom free zone is important not only for the countries of the region, but also for European business. It is seen as a promising entry point into the markets of Afghanistan, Pakistan and other South Asian countries, offering a more stable and predictable business environment.
The project may be of particular interest to Polish companies operating in the fields of logistics, construction, industrial production, mechanical engineering, equipment supplies, the agri-food sector and international trade support services.
To summarize, the publication notes that the implementation of the strategy to transform Termez into one of the key economic and logistics centers between Central and South Asia can open up new opportunities for international business and strengthen the position of Uzbekistan as an important participant in regional integration processes.
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