Chinese foreign direct investment in Central Asia reached $35.9 billion, according to a report by the Eurasian Development Bank published Thursday.
Since 2016, investment has increased from $19.6 billion to $35.9 billion. Nearly 90% of the total is concentrated in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
The extractive sector continues to account for the largest share of the portfolio at 46%, or $16.7 billion. Manufacturing and energy have increased their share, together accounting for more than one-third of Chinese foreign direct investment in the region.
The energy sector shows the fastest growth. Since 2016, investment has risen to $6.6 billion, driven mainly by alternative energy projects in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan remains the largest recipient of Chinese investment at $11.4 billion. Uzbekistan has shown strong growth with $10.7 billion, while Turkmenistan ranks third, accounting for 27% of the total portfolio.
Earlier, the Eurasian Development Bank said Turkmenistan’s investment in the development of the Eurasian Transport Framework reached $5.3 billion as of July 1, 2025.
Subscribe to our publication:
Instagram: Biznes Türkmenistan
Dzen: Business Turkmenistan
