The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the multilateral financing platform, is developing a new credit investment vehicle for investors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to underwrite infrastructural projects in Central Asia.
The new vehicle will be registered in Abu Dhabi and regulated under its Global Markets (ADGM) auspices, part of the EDB's expanded presence facilitating direct dialogue with regulators, sovereign wealth funds and other institutions in the Gulf, and demonstrating the bank's capability to bridge the regions with "ready-made investment solutions", including Islamic finance instruments, suited to Gulf investors.
Transport and logistics; water and agribusiness development; and renewable energy are set as first priorities for the fund.
“We are creating an ‘investment highway’ between Gulf capital and the opportunities in Central Asia. Investors gain access to proven projects with an optimal risk-return profile, while Central Asian countries gain access to new sources of funding for their development,” said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board.
Over the past 5 years, mutual trade between Central Asia and the GCC has increased by 4.2 times, while accumulated direct investments have grown by 1.8 times, according to data from EDB.
The credit fund for Central Asia also follows a strong 2025 pattern of focused engagement: the EDB made its debut placements of UAE dirham-denominated bonds in April, on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) and in June, in the UAE with the participation of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).
