Formation of Industrial and Logistics Hub in the Border Areas of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Abstract

Central Asia is a strategic region of the China-Europe continental bridge. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seriously affected international supply chains, which has led to the intensification of the development of alternative corridors and the construction of new regional logistics hubs along them. The purpose of the research is to determine, on the basis of these sources, the factors of the formation of industrial and logistics hubs, as well as the directions of their development on the example of the border regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In preparing this article, a mixed research strategy was used, which implies quantitative and qualitative methods. It consists not only of the systematic study of the literature on the research topic and statistical information but also involves the implementation of theoretical studies, comparison, generalization and analysis of the results, argumentation and formulation of conclusions. The study identified the main constraining factors for the development of such centres delays in customs inspection, inconsistency in the legal framework of the transportation process, underdevelopment of infrastructure, low level of digitalization and the use of information systems, the use of non-tariff barriers, low level of digitalization and the use of information systems. The creation and development of integrated transport services based on a digital platform will speed up this process. In addition, taking into account these factors, the components of an industrial and logistics hub are proposed: an industrial zone, a logistics zone, a trading zone, a certification zone with appropriate services, as well as a digital platform as a link between all components.