06 May 2026

A seminar on stimulating foreign direct investment in Central Asia was held on the sidelines of the 59th ADB Annual Meeting in Samarkand

A seminar on stimulating foreign direct investment in Central Asia was held on the sidelines of the 59th ADB Annual Meeting in Samarkand, the press service of the MIIT reports. The event was inaugurated by ADB President Masato Kanda and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev.

The primary focus was the launch of the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC) by early 2027. This project will offer investors a jurisdiction founded on English common law, an independent judicial system, and tax incentives. Jamshid Khodjaev highlighted systemic reforms, including the legalization of stock options and escrow accounts, the introduction of a law on alternative investment funds, and the growth of Uzbekistan’s GDP to 147 billion dollars by the end of 2025.

The panel discussions featured Shokhrukh Gulamov, Deputy Minister of MIIT; Thomas Clark, ADB General Counsel; and Kanokpan Lao-Araya, ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan. The experts addressed the establishment of the Regional Alliance of Investment Councils (RAIC-CAC) as a platform for cross-border projects.

In conclusion, Jamshid Khodjaev invited participants to the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum, scheduled for June 16-18, 2026. This forum will serve as a pivotal venue for signing the memorandum on the creation of the RAIC-CAC and strengthening new partnerships.