Gulf Capital Flows to Central Asia via New EDB Platform

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has launched a new office at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), creating a gateway for Gulf investors to explore opportunities in Central Asia.

The opening ceremony was attended by ADGM CEO Salem Al-Darei and EDB Chairman Nikolai Podguzov, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

The platform will offer ready-made investment solutions, combining EDB analytics, regional expertise, and access to sustainable infrastructure projects. Investors can fund projects with optimal risk-return profiles, while Central Asian countries gain new sources of capital. Podguzov described the office as an “investment highway” linking Gulf capital with Central Asian opportunities.

Local presence at ADGM allows EDB to engage directly with regulators, sovereign funds, and institutional investors, and to develop new financial instruments, including Islamic finance. A key initiative will be a specialized credit fund for Central Asian infrastructure, registered in ADGM.

Al-Darei noted that the office strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a global investment hub and fosters cross-border collaboration. Earlier in 2025, EDB successfully issued bonds in UAE dirhams, reflecting sustained interest from Middle Eastern investors.

Over the past five years, trade between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Central Asia has grown 4.2 times, while cumulative foreign direct investment rose 1.8 times. Key investment sectors through the platform include transport and logistics, water and agriculture, and renewable energy, with Islamic finance expected to see significant growth in the region by 2033.