Central Asia Business Media Digest

Kazakhstan's growth accelerated on the back of non-oil sectors, while Uzbekistan's widening gas deficit, rising Gulf investment and tight regional fuel supply shaped the economic news across Central Asia.

Kazakhstan's GDP grows 4.5% in January–October as non-oil sectors lead

Kazakhstan's GDP grew by 4.5% in January–October 2026, 0.3 points faster than over the first nine months, according to preliminary Bureau of National Statistics data cited by the Ministry of National Economy. The non-oil sector expanded by an estimated 5.6%, manufacturing by 9.3% (8.6% in January–September) and construction by 13.1%. Economist Ruslan Sultanov said the sustainability of the shift will depend on productivity and production capacity, the key test for investors assessing diversification beyond hydrocarbons.

Source: Astana Times, 11 Nov 2026

Uzbekistan's gas import bill rises 49.9% to $1.6 billion as domestic output falls

Uzbekistan's imports of natural and artificial gas, including LPG, rose 49.9% year on year to $1.605 billion in January–September 2026, while gas exports fell 34.5% to $357.9 million, according to National Statistics Committee data analysed by Gazeta.uz. The gap between gas imports and exports widened to $1.247 billion from about $524.5 million a year earlier. Domestic gas production fell 16.4% to 27 billion cubic metres, leaving the country more dependent on supplies from Russia and Turkmenistan.

Source: Gazeta.uz, 11 Nov 2026

EDB: Gulf investment stock in Central Asia reaches $31.1 billion

Investment stock from Gulf Cooperation Council countries in Central Asia rose from $9.1 billion in 2020 to $31.1 billion by mid-2026, according to a Eurasian Development Bank report released on 10 November. Turkmenistan holds $14.4 billion, Uzbekistan $11.3 billion and Kazakhstan $5.3 billion; the UAE accounts for 66% of the total, and the electric power sector's share has risen from 2% to 34%, driven largely by renewable projects in Uzbekistan. Trade between the two regions reached $3.9 billion in 2025, and the EDB estimates additional potential of $4.9 billion by 2030, citing logistics costs and limited trade finance as the main barriers.

Source: Astana Times, 11 Nov 2026

Kazakhstan extends fuel export ban to May 2027, allocates gasoline to Tajikistan

Kazakhstan will keep its ban on road exports of gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products, including to EAEU countries, from 22 November 2026 to 22 May 2027 under an Energy Ministry order; rail exports are also restricted except for gasoline shipped under approved supply plans. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said 20,000 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline for Tajikistan are included in the November supply plan, with companies still to agree price and logistics. Asia-Plus estimates the volume at about 6% of Tajikistan's gasoline imports in January–September, indicating that regional fuel flows remain subject to government-managed allocation.

Source: Asia-Plus, 11 Nov 2026

EBRD signs new Tajikistan loans and forecasts 7.9% growth in 2026

The EBRD signed sovereign loans of up to EUR 55.4 million for a road reconstruction in Khatlon Region and the completion of a water project in Kulob, Vice President Matteo Patrone told Asia-Plus; the bank's active portfolio in Tajikistan stands at EUR 511 million across about 80 projects. A power-loss reduction project and a rural broadband project of up to EUR 48.3 million are expected to be signed by the end of 2026 or in the first quarter of 2027, and the bank plans to support Tajikistan's first renewable energy auction next year. The EBRD forecasts growth of 7.9% in 2026 and 7% in 2027, but Patrone named dependence on Russia for remittances and fuel, as well as the Gulf crisis, as the main risks.

Source: Asia-Plus, 10 Nov 2026