NF Group Study: Tajikistan lags in logistics and warehouse development

Tajikistan trails behind in the pace of introducing new warehouses amid the rapid growth of this market in Central Asia, says a study by NF Group. Currently.Tajikistan reportedly has only about 10,000 square meters of warehouse space, primarily used for storing food products and customs goods.No new facilities were commissioned in Tajikistan during the third quarter of 2024, and there is no vacant warehouse space available.  However, in response to the growing demand for warehouse infrastructure, the Tajik government has started actively working on developing the logistics market.Plans are underway to establish a Regional Logistics and Trade Center in Sughd province’s capital, Khujand, as part of the Shymkent–Tashkent–Khujand economic corridor, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).Additionally, Tajikistan is fostering cooperation with Saudi Arabia to develop a logistics hub.For 2024–2025, three new warehouse projects have been announced, which will include low-temperature storage facilities and a total area exceeding 50,000 square meters.According to NF Group, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan lead the region in the development of new warehouse facilities.  Over the first nine months of 2024, Kazakhstan added 271,000 square meters of warehouse space, and Uzbekistan 121,000 square meters.In Kyrgyzstan, the warehouse real estate market is more limited and concentrated mainly in Bishkek. High rental rates and a lack of vacant space are driving new projects like Asia Park and Batyr Logistics Center.Experts from NF Group conclude that significant investment is needed to address infrastructure shortages in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.  State support and attracting international companies will be critical for stabilizing and growing the warehouse real estate market in these countries.