UZBEKISTAN: Škoda Group has announced ambitions to enter the Uzbek rail and urban transport markets through a joint venture.
This would focus on three main areas:
- local assembly of rail vehicles;
- maintenance and servicing throughout entire life cycle of the vehicles;
- establishing a Škoda Academy for local education and professional development.
The strategic plan was announced after Škoda Group CEO Petr Novotný participated in a round table discussion between European industrial leaders and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Brussels on October 24. The meeting took place as the European Union and Uzbekistan signed an Enhanced Partnership & Co-operation Agreement setting out a comprehensive legal framework for co-operation in investment, transport, energy, trade and sustainable development.
The present’s office said infrastructure and logistics development are priorities for Uzbekistan, which is modernising its transport network including railways and is ready to engage in joint projects on transit corridors and the creation of modern logistics hubs connecting Europe and Asia.
Opening up to new investments
‘Central Asia is a promising market for us, one that we have been focusing on in our business strategy for a long time’, said Novotný. ‘High-level talks between representatives of Uzbekistan and European business leaders confirm that European technology and experience can contribute significantly to the sustainable development of transport infrastructure in this Central Asian country.’
Novotný said Uzbekistan is ‘a country that is opening up to new investments from European business partners. It has long been in our sights in terms of our strategic ambitions. We therefore very much welcome the opportunity to contribute to the development of sustainable transport, education and technological modernisation in the local market.’
In October 2023 Uzbek national railway UTY awarded Škoda Group a €320m contract to supply 30 four-car electric multiple-units, similar to the 1 520 mm gauge trainsets it has supplied for Latvia and Estonia.
