UNEC E Logistics and Transport Competitiveness in Kyrgyzstan Improving the competitiveness of Kyrgyzstan as a key transport transit country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia could enable the country to unlock signicant untapped benets of growing cargo ows between the two continents. This study identies the transport infrastructure and services available in Kyrgyzstan, reviews the country’s recent and future transport investments, and sets out recommendations to ensure its transport network is ready to harness the growth in inland transport from rising key trade ows, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, within which Kyrgyzstan’s strategic geographical position will be key to regional development. Kyrgyzstan To further capitalize on Kyrgyzstan’s pivotal role in Euro-Asian transport, this study also Logistics and Transport Competitiveness in Kyrgyzstan presents the benets of adhering to and implementing the full spectrum of UN Transport in Conventions and Legal Instruments administered by UNECE, and through its participation in UNECE initiatives such as the Euro-Asian Transport Links project. The study also highlights strengthening the full implementation of legislation as one of the most important conditions for the development of the transport infrastructure of Kyrgyzstan and the broader region. Logistics and Transport Competitiveness Information Service United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNIT Palais des Nations CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland E Telephone: +41(0)22 917 12 34 ISBN 978-92-1-117206-5 D E-mail: [email protected] N A Website: www.unece.org TION S Layout at United Nations, Geneva – (E) - November 2019 - 185 - ECE/TRANS/287 UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT COMPETITIVENESS IN KYRGYZSTAN UNITED NATIONS Geneva, 2020 © 2020 United Nations All rights reserved worldwide Requests to reproduce excerpts or to photocopy should be addressed to the Copyright Clearance Center at copyright.com. All other queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to: United Nations Publications, 405 East 42nd Street, S-09FW001, New York, NY 10017, United States of America. Email: [email protected]; website: https://shop.un.org. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or member States. The designations employed and the presentation of material on any map in this work do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This publication is issued in English and Russian. Financial support from the Russian Federation to produce this publication is gratefully acknowledged. United Nations publication issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. ECE/TRANS/291 ISBN: 978-92-1-117206-5 eISBN: 978-92-1-004219-2 Sales no.: E.19.II.E.26 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This publication has been prepared by Anatoli Molokovitch, Professor of the School of Business and Management of Technology of the Belarus State University. The author worked under the guidance of, and benefited from significant author contributions from Francesco Dionori, Chief of Transport Networks and Logistics Section, Sustainable Transport Division, UNECE. The author would like to thank the Ministry of Transport and Roads of the Kyrgyz Republic and all those who provided significant input and data for the preparation of this publication. Information is current to September 2019. iii LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT COMPETITIVENESS IN KYRGYZSTAN UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE (UNECE) The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of the five United Nations regional commissions, administered by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It was established in 1947 with the mandate to help rebuild post- war Europe, develop economic activity and strengthen economic relations among European countries, and between Europe and the rest of the world. During the Cold War, UNECE served as a unique forum for economic dialogue and cooperation between East and West. Despite the complexity of this period, significant achievements were made, with consensus reached on numerous harmonization and standardization agreements. In the post-Cold War era, UNECE acquired not only many new member States, but also new functions. Since the early 1990s the organization has focused on analyses of the transition process, using its harmonization experience to facilitate the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the global markets. UNECE is the forum where the countries of Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and North America – 56 countries in all – come together to forge the tools of their economic cooperation. That cooperation concerns economics, statistics, environment, transport, trade, sustainable energy, timber and habitat. The Commission offers a regional framework for the elaboration and harmonization of conventions, norms and standards. The Commission's experts provide technical assistance to the countries of South-East Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. This assistance takes the form of advisory services, training seminars and workshops where countries can share their experiences and best practices. iv TRANSPORT IN UNECE TRANSPORT IN UNECE The UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) facilitates the international movement of persons and goods by inland transport modes. It aims to improve competitiveness, safety, energy efficiency and security in the transport sector. At the same time it focuses on reducing the adverse effects of transport activities on the environment and contributing effectively to sustainable development. The ITC is a: • Centre for multilateral transport standards and agreements in Europe and beyond, e.g. regulations for dangerous goods transport and road vehicle construction at the global level • Gateway for technical assistance and exchange of best practices • Promoter of multi-country investment planning • Substantive partner for transport and trade facilitation initiatives • Historic centre for transport statistics. For more than six decades, ITC has provided a platform for intergovernmental cooperation to facilitate and develop international transport while improving its safety and environmental performance. The main results of this persevering and important work are reflected in more than 50 international agreements and conventions which provide an international legal framework and technical regulations for the development of international road, rail, inland water and intermodal transport, as well as dangerous goods transport and vehicle construction. Considering the needs of transport sector and its regulators, UNECE offers a balanced approach to and treatment of facilitation and security issues alike. v LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT COMPETITIVENESS IN KYRGYZSTAN CONTENTS List of figures .......................................................................................................................... vii List of tables.............................................................................................................................. x 1. Brief Analysis of the Economic Situation in Kyrgyzstan ................................................ 1 1.1. Main indicators of the social and economic situation .......................... 1 1.2. Transport in Kyrgyzstan ............................................................. 6 2. Roads and Road Transport in Kyrgyzstan ..................................................................... 17 2.1 Analysis of the state of the road sector ......................................... 17 2.1.1 General information on roads ................................................ 17 2.1.2. Characteristics of the road network ........................................ 18 2.1.3. The international road network ............................................. 21 2.1.4. Road safety ..................................................................... 32 2.2 Analisys of road transport ......................................................... 33 2.2.1. Reform of road transport ..................................................... 33 2.2.2 Transport of goods by road ................................................... 36 2.2.3. International transport of goods by road ................................... 39 2.2.4. Passenger transport by road .................................................. 43 2.3. SWOT analysis of the road sector and of road transport ...................... 48 2.4. Recommendations .................................................................. 51 3. Rail Transport In Kyrgyzstan .......................................................................................... 55 3.1. Development of the railway sector .............................................. 55 3.2. Transport of goods by rail ......................................................... 57 3.2.1. Transport of goods by rail in international traffic ........................ 59 3.3. Prospects for the development of the railway sector in the framework of the strategy for 2012-2020 ..................................................... 61 3.4. SWOT analysis of the railway sector ............................................. 64 3.5. Recommendations for the railway sector ......................................