The Uzbek government has made a proposal for a joint venture (JV) with representatives from China and Kyrgyzstan for the construction of the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan (CKU) railway line. The JV is also to take over the operation of the infrastructure, with construction work due to begin before the end of 2024. The CKU line is part of efforts to improve infrastructure connections between China and Europe via the Middle Corridor and to provide an alternative to the Northern Corridor through Russia. The plans for the JV come after uncertainties regarding the start of construction, as the Kyrgyz side had previously announced that it was still looking for financing options for its share of the railway line. Infrastructure projects are particularly costly in Kyrgyzstan due to the mountainous landscape. In addition to financing issues, the JV is also expected to agree on a final routing.
