The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is advancing an ambitious network model of transport connectivity across Eurasia, aiming to energize trade and infrastructure integration throughout the region.
Following its 2024 concept of the Eurasian Transport Frame (ETF), the Bank emphasizes synergy between the pivotal West — East and North — South transport corridors as the foundation of increased efficiency. Infrastructure development along these corridors stands as a cornerstone of this vision.
To monitor progress and coordinate regional efforts, EDB has launched the ETF Observatory — an expansive database combined with a geoinformation system that tracks implementation of transport projects across 13 Eurasian countries. These include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
As of July 1, 2025, the Observatory lists 325 transport development projects valued at over 234 billion US dollars. More than half of these projects, or about 51%, involve road transport infrastructure. Russia dominates with seven of the ten largest projects, highlighting the capital-intensive priority of Northern Eurasian corridors, which require approximately 78 billion dollars, or over one-third of total ETF investment needs.
Central Asian countries contribute significantly, holding more than 22% of ETF investment volume, corresponding to roughly 53 billion dollars across 90 projects. Kazakhstan leads in Central Asia with a 44% share of this investment, focusing on highway construction and modernization projects that constitute nearly two-thirds of regional investments — a direct response to urgent needs for modern road infrastructure to support trade and international logistics.
Key infrastructure projects and regional priorities
The ten largest Central Asian projects account for 58% of all regional ETF investments. Noteworthy undertakings include the China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan railway, the Tashkent — Andijan highway, Kazakhstan’s high-speed Center — West route, and in Turkmenistan, the Ashgabat — Turkmenabat and Serakhs — Mary — Serhetabat highways.
Given constrained investment capabilities, prioritization is essential, especially in countries like Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Armenia. Here, transport corridor development investment represents a substantial share of GDP, underscoring the critical role of international development banks and financial institutions in selecting and funding priority projects. Particular emphasis is placed on landlocked and mountainous countries with challenging development conditions.
Private sector and partnership roles
The private sector is a considerable contributor, involved in 113 of the 325 ETF projects. Nearly half of these are logistics and warehouse infrastructure developments. Around 17 projects are structured under public-private partnerships (PPP), including transnational rail corridors such as China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan and the Trans-Afghan railway.
The increasing involvement of international development banks and private investors, especially through PPP arrangements, becomes a strategic focus to foster transport policy and deepen Eurasian regional cooperation.
Implications for international business and investment
For international companies eyeing expansion into Central Asia and Eurasia, this robust transport infrastructure push opens promising avenues. The focus on modernizing highways and railways enhances logistics and connectivity — critical for manufacturing industries, including furniture and construction sectors reliant on timely supply chains and efficient transport of goods and materials.
This development signals growing demand for construction services and materials, logistics solutions, and design expertise to support infrastructure projects and related commercial facilities. The synergy of transport corridors from North to South and West to East also reduces transit times and costs, offering competitive advantages for exporters and importers.
Moreover, the active role of public-private partnerships and international financing mechanisms indicates openness to collaborative investment models, providing foreign investors with structured frameworks and risk mitigation tools.
Altogether, these trends underscore Central Asia as a strategic frontier for growth in transport, trade facilitation, and industrial development on the Eurasian continent, beneficial for international actors in manufacturing, construction, logistics, and related sectors aiming to capitalize on emerging market dynamics.
