The volume of accumulated Chinese investments in the Eurasian region increased 1.5 times by the end of the first half of 2024 compared to 2016, reports the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB).
Central Asia received 47% of all Chinese investments directed to the Eurasian region, according to the statement. The total investment amounted to $27.7 billion. The leading recipient countries are Kazakhstan ($10.4 billion), Turkmenistan ($9.5 billion), and Uzbekistan ($4.3 billion).
The share of the raw materials sector in the industry structure of investments is decreasing – it now accounts for 61.7% compared to 69% in 2016. Against this backdrop, investments in industry ($11.8 billion, a growth of 2.3 times) and electricity generation ($4.1 billion, a growth of 3.1 times) are rapidly increasing. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are leading in the influx of Chinese investments in these sectors.
“The growth of Chinese investments in Central Asia is natural. From 2000 to 2024, the economies of the region's countries have grown almost five times. High growth rates are expected to continue. This will ensure stable demand for investments, especially in infrastructure, the raw materials sector, industry, and energy. The Belt and Road Initiative, which supports joint projects in strategic sectors, is an important stimulus for investments,” emphasizes the deputy head of the EDB, Yevgeny Vinokurov.
Meanwhile, according to the State Committee for Investments and State Property Management of Tajikistan, in 2024, the country's economy received $150.9 million in Chinese investments, which is $41 million more compared to 2023.
China began investing in the economy of Tajikistan only in the second half of the 2000s (since 2007), but within a short period, it has become the main investor in the country.
The accumulated volume of Chinese investments in Tajikistan as of the beginning of 2025 was nearly $4 billion. In comparison, the accumulated investment volumes from Russia and Kazakhstan, which are among the top three investors in Tajikistan, amounted to about $2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.
About 70% of the accumulated Chinese investments in Tajikistan's economy consists of direct capital.
The share of Chinese investments in the total accumulated investments in Tajikistan's economy is 38%, claims Asiaplus.tj.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 4, 2025