European Investment Bank opens Central Asia regional office in Tashkent

The bank’s regional agenda focuses on several large-scale infrastructure projects, including the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. It also encompasses support for major hydropower installations, such as the Rogun HPP in Tajikistan and the Kambarata HPP-1 in Kyrgyzstan, alongside projects designed to upgrade regional digital connectivity.

Since signing a framework agreement in 2017, Uzbekistan has emerged as a primary partner for EIB Global in Central Asia. The financial institution is working closely with the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade to align its operations with the "Uzbekistan – 2030" strategy and the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative.

The joint pipeline includes investments in environmentally sustainable transport networks, green energy, water resource management, and digital infrastructure. Additional cooperation covers health sector supply chains, vaccine production, and the development of local value chains for critical raw materials. Including signed projects and existing memoranda of understanding, the total portfolio of operations under consideration in Uzbekistan has reached €1 billion.

To back these initiatives, EIB Global plans to utilize a range of financial instruments, including sovereign and sub-sovereign loans, public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks, private sector financing, equity investments, and blended finance options.

In tandem with its financial commitments, the bank is expanding its advisory services across the region. During the Tashkent International Investment Forum, EIB Global and Uzsuvtaminot JSC signed a Declaration of Intent to explore advisory support for a new wastewater treatment plant in the Surum area of Tashkent under a PPP model.

Upon successful completion of the comprehensive due diligence process and once all necessary approvals are secured, EIB Global will provide technical advisory services to prepare and implement the agreement. The proposed facility is designed to process 300,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day, which officials note will significantly improve the capital’s sewage management services and relieve the burden on existing urban infrastructure.