Hideki Tanabe is a senior international development expert who stood at the origins of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tajikistan. Having completed his tenure as the first Head of JICA’s independent office in the country, which he led since its establishment in 2017, he played a key role in integrating Japanese technical assistance
On January 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired an expanded meeting on the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uzbek diplomatic missions abroad. The President emphasized that in the current global environment, an ambassador is not just a person who conducts political dialogue. An ambassador is a state representative who attracts investment and technologies,
Kazakhstan ranks fourth in terms of the number of enterprises with foreign capital in Uzbekistan, following China, Russia, and Turkiye, Dunyo information agency reported citing data from the Uzbek National Statistics Committee. As of December 1, 2025, 1,199 enterprises with Kazakh capital were operating in Uzbekistan. The majority of Kazakh-invested enterprises are concentrated in trade,
A new investment attraction mechanism, the “Availability Payment,” has been introduced in Kazakhstan to accelerate the development of industrial zones and create sustainable conditions for the long-term presence of investors. The pilot project is being implemented in West Kazakhstan Region on the territory of the Eurasia Cross-Border Trade Center industrial zone, where 17 investment projects with the participation of foreign investors are
According to the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, the country’s external debt as of October 1, 2025 totaled $75.4 billion. This includes $37.4 billion of government external debt and $38 billion of borrowings by private and state-owned enterprises without a government guarantee (corporate debt). According to international classifications, Uzbekistan’s government debt level
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is promoting further growth in domestic production of pharmaceutical products in Uzbekistan by supporting the operations of leading local manufacturer Nika Pharm. Nika Pharm will use the EBRD loan of up to US$ 20 million to restructure its balance sheet and upgrade equipment and facilities in
Uzbekistan continues to strengthen its investment momentum: the total volume of utilized investments reached $43.1 billion in 2025, marking a 24% increase compared to the previous year. A significant share was represented by $38.2 billion in foreign direct investment, along with $4.9 billion from international financial institutions, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is helping to meet growing demand for industrial infrastructure in the renewable energy and logistics sectors in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia by supporting the operations of Sarens Kazakhstan. The EBRD’s loan of up to €25 million (in KZT equivalent) to Sarens Kazakhstan, a fully owned
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest National Company JSC Madiyar Sultanbek on December 30 held a working meeting with Xu Jie, General Director of Xinjiang Lihua (Group) Co., Ltd., according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, the parties discussed the
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a new report, entitled “China and the Eurasian Region: Analysis of Investment Flows based on EDB Monitoring of Mutual Investments”. The report provides detailed information on mutual foreign direct investments (FDI) between China and 13 countries of the Eurasian region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia,
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has published the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2025/2026 report, focusing on foreign direct investment dynamics across countries in the region. According to the report, by the end of 2025 Kazakhstan became the largest recipient of investment in new (greenfield) projects in
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is providing a loan of up to €25 million to Orzax Central Asia – a newly established subsidiary of Orzax Türkiye – for the construction and operation of a greenfield food supplement production facility in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. The new facility will be Orzax Türkiye’s
As a result of the official visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Japan and the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum on December 20, more than 60 documents were signed between Kazakh and Japanese business entities, totaling $3.72 billion, according to Kazakh Invest. Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC and Japan’s MUFG Bank, Ltd. signed a memorandum
As part of his official visit to Japan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on December 19 held a meeting with the heads of leading Japanese companies, financial institutions, and business associations. The event was attended by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa, as well as top managers of Sojitz, Sumitomo, Toyota, ITOCHU,
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a new 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
U.S. Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Carson Relitz Rocker emphasized the strategic importance of critical minerals and rare earths in the global economy at the 2nd Annual International Mining and Metallurgical Investment Forum in Dushanbe last week, according to the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan. Chargé Relitz Rocker highlighted Tajikistan’s abundant mineral resources as a key opportunity for sustainable
On December 5, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a ceremony marking the launch and start of construction of new energy capacities and infrastructure facilities. By pressing a symbolic button, the President launched the operation of 42 energy facilities and the construction of 21 new projects. The event was attended by Minister of
The government of Kazakhstan has approved the conclusion of an investment agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Turkestan Cotton Agro-Industrial Complex LLP for the cultivation and processing of cotton in the southern Turkestan region. The project will establish a full production cycle—from growing cotton to producing yarn, fabric, and finished garments. The project’s
The 5th meeting of the Kazakhstan–Switzerland Business Council took place in Astana on November 28 with the participation of Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan, and Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Swiss Confederation and Federal Councilor for Economic Affairs. The event was organized by Stadler Rail AG and Kazakhstan Temir
The investment fund Central Asia Capital and the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan have signed an agreement launching the Central Asia Startup program, the first large-scale project to develop entrepreneurship and technology startups in Kyrgyzstan. According to Central Asia Capital, the program aims to support aspiring entrepreneurs, develop an innovation ecosystem, and foster
