EADB creates an “investment highway” between Gulf capital and Central Asian opportunities

The Eurasian Development Bank has announced the launch of a new investment platform in the ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) international financial center, which will serve as a link between investors in the Persian Gulf countries and promising projects in Central Asia. As part of the initiative, the EDB has opened a representative office in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony was attended by ADGM CEO Salem Al-Darei and EDB Chairman Nikolay Podguzov.

The platform will give GCC investors access to carefully selected infrastructure and sustainable projects in the region, based on EDB analytics, its partnership with member governments, and its experience in structuring large deals.

“We are creating an ‘investment highway’ between Gulf capital and opportunities in Central Asia. Investors gain access to proven projects with an optimal balance of risk and return, while countries in the region gain access to new sources of financing,” said Nikolay Podguzov.

The bank's presence in ADGM will enable it to build direct relationships with regulators, sovereign wealth funds, and leading institutional investors in the region, as well as to develop new instruments, including Islamic finance.

One of the key initiatives will be the creation of a specialized credit fund registered in the ADGM jurisdiction. It will focus on debt financing for EDB infrastructure projects in Central Asia and will become the main channel for attracting capital from Middle Eastern and international investors.

The fund will form a diversified portfolio of projects, with the EDB acting as a structuring partner and co-investor.

“The EDB will be able to more effectively connect GCC investors with high-quality projects in Central Asia, deepening financial cooperation and expanding cross-border investment,” said ADGM CEO Salem Al-Darei, noting that the opening of the EDB office strengthens Abu Dhabi's role as a global financial hub.

Prior to the launch of the platform, the EDB strengthened its position in the region through successful bond placements in dirhams. In 2025, the bank conducted two placements:

• 185 million dirhams ($50 million) on the Astana International Exchange (AIX);
• AED 200 million ($54 million) in the UAE with the participation of First Abu Dhabi Bank and the Abu Dhabi Development Fund (ADFD).

The transactions confirmed the sustained demand from Middle Eastern investors for EDB instruments.

According to EDB data, over the past five years, trade between Central Asia and the GCC has grown 4.2 times, and the volume of accumulated investments has grown 1.8 times.

Key areas for investment through the platform:

• transport and logistics: the development of the North-South corridor could increase transit by 40%;
• water sector and agribusiness: the irrigation market is worth $426 million per year, and the water supply market is worth up to $2 billion;
• renewable energy: growing demand for projects for companies such as Masdar;
• Islamic finance: the assets of Islamic banks in Central Asia could reach $6.3 billion by 2033.