Uzbekistan Becomes Top Destination for Eurasian Investment
Uzbekistan continues to solidify its position as the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) from the Eurasian region, according to a recent report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB).
By the end of the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan had attracted more than $10.7 bn in FDI, representing 22.3% of total Eurasian inflows. Since 2016, cumulative investments in the country have surged 69%, highlighting its growing appeal to regional investors.
The FDI structure in Uzbekistan shows a high capital intensity, with 51 active projects averaging $211 mln each. Nearly half of all investments — $4.8 bn, or 45% — are directed toward the extractive sector, underlining the country’s resource-driven growth strategy.
Russian companies dominate the inflow, accounting for $9.7 bn, or roughly 90% of all Eurasian FDI in Uzbekistan. Major investments include LUKOIL projects such as the Kandym Gas Processing Complex and the Kandym-Khauzak-Shady and South-West Gissar field developments, amounting to $8 bn.
Other notable initiatives include:
- Gazprom’s development of the Djel gas field, with cumulative FDI reaching $200 mln, up $50 mln since 2023.
- Tatneft’s TatSinoNavoi petrochemical project in partnership with China’s CNCEC, attracting $171 mln in investments by mid-2025, a $32 mln increase from 2024.
Uzbekistan’s strong FDI performance reflects its strategic positioning, resource potential, and investor-friendly policies — cementing its role as a key economic hub in the Eurasian region.
