Foreign Investment in Uzbekistan Surges With Over 20K Active Firms
The number of enterprises operating with foreign capital in Uzbekistan reached 20,500 by early July, marking a 1.4-fold increase over the past five years.
Data from the National Statistics Committee shows that fully foreign-owned companies dominate the market, accounting for 15,800 of the total figure. The remaining 4,600 businesses operate as joint ventures.
China currently leads the national registry with 6,000 active enterprises. Russia ranks second with 3,500, followed by Turkey and Kazakhstan.
Other notable contributors include Afghanistan (685), Azerbaijan (473), Tajikistan (455), the United Arab Emirates (440) and India (426).
The Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade reported that Uzbekistan attracted $43.1 bn in total investments last year, representing a 24% annual growth rate. Foreign investments constituted the vast majority of this volume at $38.2 bn, while financial institutions provided an additional $4.9 bn.
China and Russia emerged as the primary direct financial backers, injecting $4.9 bn and $4.8 bn respectively. Across the broader region, general foreign investment in Central Asian economies reached $5 bn last year, rising from the $4 bn recorded in 2024.
This influx of capital coincides with the arrival of major multinational corporations. In recent years, global brands including Volkswagen, Alshaya Group and Franklin Templeton have launched local operations. The entry of American financial group Citi and Japanese trading corporation Sojitz further demonstrates expanding overseas commercial interest in the domestic economy.
