From urban development and mining to governance and public-private partnerships, the Tashkent International Investment Forum highlighted Uzbekistan’s sweeping economic transformation and global investment appeal.

Tashkent, 12 June 2025 – The Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) concluded with a series of dynamic sessions underscoring Uzbekistan’s strategic vision for sustainable development, economic modernisation, and enhanced international cooperation. Organised by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the forum convened global thought leaders and executives to explore investment opportunities across key sectors including urban planning, mining, corporate governance, state asset reform, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

In the session titled “Urban Development and Construction: Modernizing Infrastructure for Sustainable and Comfortable Growth,” leading experts stressed the urgency of building inclusive, liveable cities in response to rapid population growth. Moderated by Hussam Raouf, Partner at Boston Consulting Group, the panel explored innovative approaches to city planning, citing New Tashkent as a model of green, gravity-powered infrastructure inspired by Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Key speakers included Sasha Parneix (Alstom), Manuela Gatto (Zaha Hadid Architects), and Hakan Ceyhan Agca (Cross Works), who all championed smarter urban systems and sustainable transit solutions to enhance the quality of life.

Another key panel, “Sustainable Mining: New Opportunities for Investors,” highlighted Uzbekistan’s vast mineral reserves and ESG-focused reforms. Eugene Antonov, First Deputy CEO of NMMC, emphasised the country’s long-term resource potential and responsible mining practices. Ross Alister of Peel Hunt praised Uzbekistan’s emerging status as a serious, values-aligned destination for European investors seeking ethical resource partnerships.

The forum also addressed financial transparency in the session “Enhancing Corporate Governance as a Key Condition for Attracting Foreign Investors.” Moderated by Ayuna Nechaeva from the London Stock Exchange Group, the session brought together corporate leaders such as Murat Koshenov (Halyk Bank) and Darina Kogan Bellamy (Squire Patton Boggs), who emphasised the role of robust governance structures in securing investor confidence and supporting IPO readiness.

One of the forum’s standout moments came during the session “From Ownership to Opportunity: Unlocking Potential Through the National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan.” This session focused on the recently launched UzNIF, a sovereign vehicle established to manage state-owned enterprises and deliver long-term value. Executives from Franklin Templeton, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, and others shared their optimism, with Marius Dan (Franklin Templeton) describing the fund as a landmark in Uzbekistan’s reform journey.

Finally, “Creating a Favourable Investment Environment in Uzbekistan through PPP” addressed how public-private partnerships are driving infrastructure development. Ilkhom Umurzakov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, revealed that Uzbekistan had signed PPPs worth USD 28 billion, 90% of which are in renewable energy. Speakers from Synergy, TAQA, the Asian Development Bank, and EBRD affirmed that Uzbekistan now leads the region in PPP maturity, with transparent models and successful case studies across education, health, and energy.

Across all sessions, one consistent message emerged: Uzbekistan is not only open for business—it is positioning itself as a regional hub for sustainable, transparent, and high-impact investment.

Source: IN Diplomacy Reporters