Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is actively promoting a network-based model of transport connectivity across Eurasia.

According to the concept of the Eurasian Transport Framework (ETF), presented by the Bank in 2024, maximum efficiency in its development can be achieved through the synergy of East–West and North–South transport corridors. The development of the corresponding infrastructure is seen as a key element in building the ETF.

To systematically assess progress in this area, the EDB created the ETF Observatory, which features a comprehensive project database and a geographic information system that allows monitoring of implementation along Eurasian transport routes.

Evgeny Vinokurov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Economist of the EDB, emphasized that Eurasian countries need more accessible and efficient transport solutions, particularly along the North–South axis, to stimulate trade with South Asia and the Persian Gulf.

He noted that the ETF Observatory serves as a valuable analytical tool for tracking infrastructure dynamics and coordinating the efforts of regional governments and international financial institutions in implementing key projects.

As of July 1, 2025, the Observatory covers 13 countries — Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Project data are collected from open sources, including national and international transport development programs, press releases, and expert reports. The database provides information on project titles and descriptions, countries of implementation, corridors and types of transport, investment volumes and financing sources, timelines, current status, signs of public-private partnerships (PPP), and other details.

Currently, the Observatory lists 325 ETF development projects worth a total of US$234 billion. More than half — over 51% — belong to the road sector. Russia accounts for seven of the ten largest projects, making the development of the Northern Eurasian Corridor the most capital-intensive direction, requiring about US$78 billion — more than a third of all ETF investment.

Over 60% of projects are already under implementation, 13% are at the design stage, and 27% are still being discussed or planned. The contribution of Central Asian countries exceeds 22% of total investment, equivalent to 90 projects worth about US$53 billion. Kazakhstan alone accounts for 44% of this amount. In the region, the construction and modernization of major highways dominate, absorbing nearly two-thirds of total investment — reflecting the acute need for modern road infrastructure to support trade and international transit.

The ten largest projects in Central Asia account for 58% of all regional ETF investments. These include the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Tashkent–Andijan highway, Kazakhstan’s “Center–West” expressway, and the Ashgabat–Turkmenabat and Serakhs–Mary–Serkhetabat highways in Turkmenistan.

Given limited investment resources, prioritizing projects has become a critical task — especially for countries like Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Armenia, where spending on transport corridors is significant not only in absolute terms but also relative to GDP. In this context, international development banks and other institutions can provide crucial support in selecting and financing priority projects, particularly for landlocked, mountainous, and structurally challenged states.

The private sector plays an important role in ETF implementation: 113 of the 325 projects involve private participation, with nearly half related to logistics and warehousing infrastructure. Around 17 projects are being implemented or planned in PPP format, including at least two cross-border initiatives — the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway corridor and the Trans-Afghan railway.

The growing number of projects attractive to international development banks and private investors, especially on PPP terms, is becoming a cornerstone of strategic transport policy planning and regional cooperation strengthening across Eurasia.