SCO Connects World: Railway benefits Uzbekistan's Fergana region

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03:36

To one of the most fertile valleys in Asia now. SCO member Uzbekistan's Fergana region was for decades largely cut off from the world. Now, partly thanks to a new railway line, it is rapidly re-connecting. CGTN's Guy Henderson reports.

Namangan's traditional flower festival has always begun with a parade. Farmers have been showing off their produce here for 58 years. Mainly: it's been a chance for a fun day out. This year, though, organisers are re-branding: to give the event a more commercial feel.

ULUGBEK YUNUSOV, OFFICIAL NAMANGAN PROVINCE "Namangan city is well known by its flowers. A lot of companies are trying to plant flowers and now Namangan is positioning itself as a centre for floriculture."

As Uzbekistan's most fertile and populous region opens up, state-owned land is being re-purposed. This was once a low-yield cotton farm – now it's producing more profitable cherries. The private company that farms it aims to roughly double its output over the next twelve months or so.

VAHOBOV VALIJON GOLD FRESH FRUITS "The government specifically allocated this land for fruit farming. They earmarked 1,000 hectares for us last year, and they'll earmark another 1,000 for next year. The purpose is to increase the region's export potential."

Getting goods – and people – in and out is becoming easier too. There's now a direct train link: to the capital Tashkent, and on. It can't be coincidence that those at either end of China's One Belt One Road economic corridor were involved in funding and constructing the tricky tunnel section.

BAKHTIYOR YUNUSOV ECONOMIST & RAILWAY ENGINEER "As the constructor, was involved Chinese company from China Railway Tunnel [Sic] RDD. They started construction on September 5th, the first blasting, 2013. And as a consult for checking controlling and expertising of the project agreements, involved a German company."

GUY HENDERSON POP, UZBEKISTAN China would like to see this track become a global trade artery but there are still obstacles. A gap in the line in Kyrgzstan for one thing. Then there's the width of the gauges which are different from European ones: that still slows the seamless flow of goods in both directions.

Back at his office, the region's deputy governor for innovation says a whole new investment strategy's been developed.

ULUGBEK YUNUSOV, DEPUTY GOV. NAMANGAN PROVINCE "For the investors very interested to do business here because at the present time, they are working actively to attract foreign investments in different priority directions. And you can see that Namangan has enough investment and business opportunities in different sectors like textile, food industry, production of construction materials and also in tourism."