Central Asia is rapidly emerging as one of the world's most dynamic economic regions, with robust growth, expanding trade routes, and strategic opportunities in logistics and industry. Evgeny Vinokurov, Chief Economist of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) shares his perspective on this transformation. Originally featured on The Astana Times YouTube channel, this interview … [Read more...]
EDB: China’s FDI stock in Central Asia has increased over ten years to US $35.9 billion
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released its second report under the flagship Monitoring of Mutual Investments project. The paper focuses on China, the Eurasian region’s leading investment partner in 2025, and shows that Chinese investment in the region continues to grow steadily despite the global decline in FDI flows. Over the past ten years, this investment has … [Read more...]
Eurasian Economies to Grow by up to 9.3% in 2026: EDB Publishes New Macroeconomic Outlook
18 December 2025 The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has presented its Macroeconomic Outlook for 2026–2028. According to EDB analysts, investment activity and domestic demand will remain the key drivers of growth in most countries of the region, despite moderate global economic expansion and persistently elevated interest rates. Key takeaways: More about the … [Read more...]
Mutual investment in the Eurasian region reached a record US $48.4 billion: a new report by the EDB
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released the report as part of its flagship project Monitoring of Mutual Investments. New data show that investment activity in the Eurasian region continues to expand despite the global decline in foreign direct investment (FDI). Mutual FDI between the region’s countries reached a record US $48.4 billion at the end of the first half … [Read more...]
Transit Through Central Asia Surges by 70% from 2020 to 2024
Central Asia is rapidly emerging as a key transit hub in Eurasia, proving that a lack of sea access is no barrier to economic growth. Thanks to its unique geographical position at the heart of the continent and the active implementation of infrastructure projects, the region is experiencing remarkable growth in transit transportation. According to data from the Eurasian … [Read more...]
EDB and India Exim Bank Analyze Trade and Investment Relations Between India and Central Asia
Mutual trade between India and Central Asian countries has grown from $500 million in 2010 to $1.7 billion, following an upward trajectory. This is highlighted in an analytical report titled “Exploring Trade and Investment Relations between India and Central Asia: Unlocking Economic Benefits.” The report was jointly prepared by the Eurasian Development Bank (EABR) and the … [Read more...]
Central Asia and Gulf Countries Strengthen Trade Partnership: Turnover Surges Fourfold to $3.3 Billion
In a significant milestone for regional economic cooperation, trade between Central Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has seen remarkable growth, reaching $3.3 billion in 2024, according to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). This represents a 4.2-fold increase compared to 2020, underscoring the deepening economic ties between the two regions. The GCC … [Read more...]
EDB: Central Asia accounts for 47% of total Chinese investments to Eurasian region
China is the largest exporter of investments in the Eurasian region. By mid-2024, China's direct investment stock amounted to $58.6 billion, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s study titled “Mutual Investments on the Eurasian Continent: New and Traditional Partners”. China's investments are traditionally concentrated in the extractive industries ($36.2 … [Read more...]
EDB: Turkmenistan is the largest recipient of FDI from the UAE
The UAE’s investment stock in the Eurasian region showed steady annual growth between 2016 and 1H 2024. It has increased by 71% since 2016, reaching $12.2 billion at the end of 1H 2024. Over the past year and a half, the growth has been 18.4%, according to the new study by the EDB (Eurasian Development Bank). According to the report titled “Mutual Investments on the Eurasian … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan account for 95% of Central Asia’s total GDP, EDB says
The three largest economies — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan — account for 95% of Central Asia’s total GDP and are net exporters of hydrocarbons, says Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) in the reports titled “Macroeconomic Forecasts 2025-2027”. In 2024, Central Asia’s nominal GDP could exceed $500bn. According to our estimates, it will increase by more than 10% and … [Read more...]
The EDB: Further enhancing the petrochemical industry is a natural economic policy priority for Eurasian countries
Almaty, April 2024. The petrochemical industry in the Eurasian region is developing rapidly. Over the past six years, the total production of basic polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate and synthetic rubber) has increased by 1.5 times, rising from 5.8 million tonnes in 2017 to 8.4 million tonnes in 2022. By 2025, … [Read more...]
EDB will provide USD 600 million of investment for renewables over next three years
The EDB (Eurasian Development Bank) has decided to invest USD 600 million in the renewable energy projects during the next three years. The announcement was by Albrecht Conrad, Head of the EDB Directorate of Sustainable Development, at the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva, says a press release of EDB. Conrad said, “With its unique understanding of … [Read more...]
Climate change – Central Asia is united at various platforms including CAREC
Central Asia is fully conscious of the challenges posed by the climate change, global warming and related complications. The region is united for the sake of the shared future. Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) is among the various platforms that bring the countries of Central Asia together for dealing with issues related to climate change. Here are … [Read more...]
The EDB to foster Islamic finance in Central Asia
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) intends to become a platform for the development of Islamic finance in Central Asian countries. On the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group, senior executives from the EDB and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) discussed the potential of Islamic financing in the region, fostering collaboration in project … [Read more...]
The EDB to channel most of its investment in Kazakhstan’s projects in 2023
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, met with the head of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Nikolai Podguzov. In 2023, the Bank plans to invest over US $1.1 billion in Kazakhstan and promote international investment in Kazakhstan’s projects. The priority sectors are transport infrastructure and logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, green energy and water … [Read more...]
Eurasian Congress: Energy and water integration in Central Asia under the spotlight
Elvira Kadyrova How to create a unified management system for the water and energy complex of Central Asia and how to maximize the opportunities for joint operation of the energy systems of the countries of the region – these and other issues were discussed during the panel session "Efficient water and energy complex - the basis for the prosperity of Central Asia" at the site … [Read more...]