Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Foreign investor interest in Central Asia and the Caucasus is experiencing a sharp increase, according to a new investment sentiment report released today by Montfort Eurasia.

As regional leaders gather in Tashkent for the International Investment Forum, the latest data shows that interest from investors in the United States and the United Kingdom has tripled since 2023, despite lingering concerns over political stability and investment security. Investors are particularly drawn to the development of the industrial and manufacturing sectors, the oil and gas industry, mining, and natural resources.

Overall, investor awareness and understanding of Central Asia and the Caucasus has improved significantly compared to Montfort Eurasia’s previous survey conducted in 2023. Investors from the UK and the US now rate their knowledge of the region at an average of 7.36 out of 10, a notable jump from just 4.92 last year.

These findings indicate that the sustained efforts by countries in the region to promote themselves as investment destinations are beginning to yield results.

Nevertheless, the number of investors who identify Central Asia as a primary target for their capital remains relatively low, underscoring the need for further investor education, greater information transparency, and continued administrative reform.

“To fully unlock the region’s investment potential, effective communication and proactive engagement are essential. By offering transparent, credible information and openly addressing potential risks and concerns, Central Asia and the Caucasus can become even more attractive to global investors,” said Eleanor Kramers, Managing Director of Montfort Eurasia.

The report’s key findings include the following insights:

According to the survey, 66.7% of UK-based investors and 72.9% of US-based investors expressed strong interest in emerging markets—up significantly from 44.7% and 29.5%, respectively, in 2023.

Investor knowledge of Central Asia and the Caucasus has markedly improved. Respondents rated their understanding of the region’s investment climate at 7.36 out of 10, compared to 4.92 the previous year.

Interest in the region has tripled: approximately 47% of investors expressed strong interest in Central Asia and the Caucasus, a sharp rise from 15.5% in 2023. This reflects growing recognition of the region’s investment potential.

Despite this rising interest, investment security and political stability remain top concerns. Investment safety was cited as a concern by 76% of respondents, while 65% pointed to political stability as a key issue.

International media (80%) and financial analysts (70%) were identified as the main sources of information about investment opportunities in emerging markets.

Around 68% of respondents stated that improved understanding of local markets would significantly increase the likelihood of investment in the region.

The most attractive sectors for investment were identified as industry and manufacturing (63.5%), oil and gas (57.9%), and mining and natural resources (49.2%). Among individual countries, Kazakhstan was named the top investment destination by 11% of respondents, followed by Armenia (10.5%), Azerbaijan (8.7%), and Uzbekistan (7.8%).