“Kyrgyzstan’s parliament has approved in the first reading a bill ratifying a preferential loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China to help finance the country’s share in the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, one of Central Asia’s largest transport infrastructure projects.”
“Once completed, the 523-kilometer railway will connect Kashgar in China with Torugart, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad in Kyrgyzstan before continuing to Andijan in Uzbekistan. The route is expected to carry up to 15 million tons of cargo annually.”
“The project is particularly significant because neither Kyrgyzstan nor Uzbekistan currently has a direct rail connection with China. At present, Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian country with such a link.”
“Once completed, the 523-kilometer railway will connect Kashgar in China with Torugart, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad in Kyrgyzstan before continuing to Andijan in Uzbekistan. The route is expected to carry up to 15 million tons of cargo annually.”
“The project is particularly significant because neither Kyrgyzstan nor Uzbekistan currently has a direct rail connection with China. At present, Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian country with such a link.”
“Construction is being managed by China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Company LLC, a joint venture established by the three participating countries.”
“As of January 31, 2026, Kyrgyzstan’s debt to Eximbank stood at about $1.5 billion, making China the country’s largest external creditor.”
https://timesca.com/kyrgyzstan-approves-chinese-loan-for-cku-railway/