The volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Asian countries to Central Asia increased from $29.9 billion in 2016 to $68 billion by mid-2025, which corresponds to a growth of 2.3 times.
Among the main factors contributing to the increased investment attractiveness of Central Asia are:
Extensive natural resources and prospects for infrastructure development
The region, rich in oil, gas, and metals, including rare earth elements, is becoming attractive to foreign investors with experience in extraction and construction. Modern technologies and the expertise of foreign companies in renewable energy (wind and solar) are expanding the range of investment opportunities.
Improvement of the investment climate in the region
Competition for attracting FDI among Central Asian countries encourages them to implement reforms.
Uzbekistan has become a leader in attracting investments in recent years, while Kazakhstan is actively updating legislative initiatives to support investors.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are also generating growing interest in investment projects in hydropower and other sectors. All of this collectively adds to the region's appeal for foreign investors. Central Asia has effectively taken center stage in the list of the most attractive investment regions in Eurasia.
Central Asia as the main beneficiary of the changing geography of FDI in Eurasia
A significant share of FDI has shifted to Central Asia from other countries in the region. It is expected that in the future, its share of total FDI will continue to grow.
Note:
In this study, Asia refers to countries such as Afghanistan, Vietnam, India, Iran, Indonesia, China, Turkey, as well as Gulf states—Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
Central Asia includes five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
