Ayritom Strengthens Its Position as a New Hub for Cross-Border Trade — CERR Study

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) has published the results of a comprehensive assessment of the Ayritom Free Trade Zone, which opened in August 2024 in Termez.

The analysis revealed strong demand for the center’s services and emphasized the need to expand its operational capacity, including the introduction of 24-hour operations.

Infrastructure Development and Project Scale

The Ayritom Free Trade Zone is one of the largest initiatives in Central Asia’s cross-border trade sector, designed to strengthen Uzbekistan’s position as a regional hub for trade and logistics.

The zone covers an area of 26 hectares, including 164,200 square meters of infrastructure such as a hotel, medical clinic, business school, restaurants, production facilities, and a logistics complex.

The project aims to create 3,000 jobs, achieve an annual export volume of US$1.2 billion, and attract up to 1.4 million visitors per year.

Ayritom offers visa-free access for Afghan citizens, facilitating cross-border trade and deepening economic ties between the two countries.

Since its opening, the center has been visited by more than 740,000 people, including around 400,000 Afghan citizens. The most in-demand services are hotel accommodation and healthcare:

— The Hilton Garden Inn hotel (190 beds) has hosted over 9,000 guests.
— The Akfa Medline clinic has treated more than 76,000 patients, 80 percent of whom are Afghan nationals.

Out of 490 commercial units, 218 stores are currently operating, while the total volume of exported goods through Ayritom has reached US$187 million.

Entrepreneurs’ Perspectives

According to CERR, 70 percent of entrepreneurs have been operating in the zone since its launch.

For 67 percent, annual business turnover does not exceed 1 billion soums (about US$78,000), while 29 percent report turnovers of 3–5 billion soums.

Rental rates range from US$2.6 to US$8.3 per square meter, with 48 percent of tenants considering them high.

Nearly 43 percent of stores serve up to 30 customers a day, while 24 percent receive more than 100 visitors daily. More than half of the entrepreneurs (52 percent) said their main clients are Afghan citizens.

Ayritom has also become an important source of employment: over 1,000 Uzbeks and around 140 Afghans work in restaurants, retail outlets, manufacturing facilities, hotels, and healthcare institutions.

Consumers’ Perspectives

Among visitors, 91 percent come to the trade zone to buy food products, 48 percent for clothing, 38 percent for household appliances, and 14 percent for pharmaceuticals.

More than 70 percent of respondents noted that prices in Ayritom are lower than at other markets in the region.

However, 29 percent of shoppers visit the zone only once a month, and 43 percent pointed to the lack of regular transport connections.

Development Priorities

The CERR study identified several areas for improving the zone’s operations:

— Faster border and customs clearance, cited as a concern by 71 percent of Afghan visitors.
— Introduction of a 24-hour operating schedule, supported by 95 percent of respondents.
— Adjustments to hotel pricing policies, requested by 71 percent of those surveyed.
— Expansion of available services, including educational, household, and pharmacy facilities.

Outlook

According to CERR, Ayritom holds strong growth potential and has already become a key platform for cross-border trade and economic cooperation.

Further development of infrastructure, improved transport accessibility, and enhanced service quality will help solidify Ayritom’s role as a strategic trading hub for the region.