EU to Invest €12 Bn in Central Asia’s Economy

The European Union will invest €12 bn in Central Asian countries, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced.

The funds will be allocated to Central Asia through the Global Gateway programme. According to von der Leyen, the investment will spark a new wave of projects in the region.

«Today, we are launching a strategic partnership. This partnership demonstrates that you can rely on the EU,» she said at the Central Asia-EU Summit in Samarkand.

Of the announced amount, €3 bn will go towards transport projects, €2.5 bn for critical minerals, €6.4 bn for climate and energy initiatives, and €100 mln for digital connectivity.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is preparing a portfolio of projects in green energy and critical minerals worth up to €7 bn.