(RFE/RL)
August 25, 2007 -- Uzbek President Islam Karimov today inaugurated a new rail line linking central and south Uzbekistan.
Speaking at an opening ceremony at Derbent station in the country's south, the Uzbek leader said the 223-kilometer line, much of which runs across mountainous terrain, was built with the help of Japanese partners in just 33 months, far ahead of schedule.
Karimov said the new rail link will increase Uzbekistan's export and transit potential.
(Interfax)