BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The Silk Road Fund (SRF) has invested in nearly 70 countries and regions worldwide, committing over $23 billion by the end of 2023, the source at SRF told Trend.
“Aligning Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with local development plans, SRF has delivered a number of small and medium-sized projects enhancing local people’s wellbeing and contributing to green development,” the source said.
In the Central Asian region, SRF's investments extend to various sectors, including finance, energy, and investment and financing platforms in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries.
Notably, SRF invested in the Samarkand International Convention, Exhibition, Cultural, and Tourist Centre in Uzbekistan, which is an important project in China-Uzbekistan cooperation. Completed in 2022, the Centre served as the location for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and made a substantial contribution to local tourism and people-to-people exchanges along the Silk Road.
The insider further stated that SRF is willing to invest in Central Asian transportation and energy projects.
“Central Asia has been a pivot of the Silk Road since the ancient times, and is a key area of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During the first China-Central Asia Summit held in May 2023, SRF announced to commit 10 billion renminbi (near $1.406 billion) to set up China-Central Asia investment and financing platform,” the source said.
It was noted that SRF aims to collaborate with all partners and is dedicated to investing in various sectors, such as infrastructure, energy, industrial cooperation, finance, and ESG, to support sustainable social and economic development in Central Asia.
Established by China, the Silk Road Fund is a medium- and long-term equity investment fund focusing on enhancing high-quality collaborations within the Belt and Road initiative. Its investments span Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, North Africa, and Europe, with a focus on infrastructure, energy, resources, industrial cooperation, financial collaboration, and sustainable investments.
