The National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan (UzNatsBank or NBU) and the Chinese fund Silk Road Fund have concluded an agreement to provide financing for major infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan totaling up to 395 million US dollars.
The signing took place during the visit of a delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov, to the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, China. This occurred on the sidelines of the XI Belt and Road Summit, which was held in Hong Kong on September 9–10. This event served as a platform for discussing new directions for financial cooperation and investment.
According to the terms of the agreement, UzNatsBank and Silk Road Fund will jointly select, evaluate, and structure potential infrastructure projects for subsequent financing through the fund's long-term credit lines. Priority will be given to the modernization of transport infrastructure, including the construction of modern toll highways.
These agreements align with the goals of Uzbekistan's state investment program for 2026. This program provides UzNatsBank with the opportunity to attract up to $1.5 billion in resources from international financial institutions to implement priority projects in the country.
The bank noted that this agreement is another practical result of expanding financial and investment interaction between Uzbekistan and China. It aims to develop all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China, including within the framework of the 'Belt and Road' initiative.
UzNatsBank was established in 1991 and is one of the largest systemically important banks in Uzbekistan. As of the end of 2025, the bank's assets exceeded 12 billion US dollars, its loan portfolio amounted to 9 billion US dollars, total capital surpassed 1.6 billion US dollars, and net profit reached 160 million US dollars.
The Silk Road Fund is a state investment fund of China, established in 2014 to support investment projects under the 'Belt and Road' initiative.