On November 17, 2025, Presidents of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, remotely participated in the opening ceremony of the Turkmen-Uzbek cross-border trade center from Tashkent. The event took place as part of the State Visit of the Head of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan.

Access to the zone is organized through separate checkpoints. A "free customs zone" regime operates here, permitting retail trade operations.

According to the ITC (International Information Center), the construction of the "Shavat-Dashoguz" cross-border trade zone began in October 2022. The total area of the trade zone is 6 hectares—3 hectares on each side of the border. The zone has been established for 30 years with the possibility of further extension.

The zone's infrastructure includes 112 trade stalls, 28 shops, and 16 retail outlets, organized into two blocks. Systems for the storage, sorting, sale, and transportation of goods using modern technologies have been established on the territory.

A "Single Window" center has been opened for entrepreneurs, providing customs, tax, certification, phytosanitary, veterinary, and transport services.

Provisions have been made for setting up bank service and currency exchange points, hotels, a medical center, a spacious parking lot, and other infrastructure facilities. Interactive systems for rendering public services have been implemented.

The zone will exclusively sell products manufactured in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The functioning of the Turkmen-Uzbek cross-border trade center will contribute to expanding mutual trade, attracting investments, facilitating the exchange of experience between entrepreneurs of the two countries, and holding joint fairs and exhibitions.

At the opening ceremony, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the new center would become an important platform for business cooperation and contribute to the development of the regional economy and the improvement of the well-being of the peoples of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and all of Central Asia.