Deputy FM: Russia - biggest donor to Central Asian countries

Russia is the biggest donor to the Central Asian countries, from 2008 through 2022.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrei Rudenko, said at the second Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club, according to TASS.

“Moreover, Russia rendered assistance worth over $6.2 billion to the regional countries. The country is the biggest investor in Central Asia,” Rudenko added.

“The Russian investments worth about $30.5 billion were accumulated in this region from 2010 through 2021. Trade turnover is growing, despite the difficulties with COVID-19 pandemic. The trade turnover reached $37 billion in 2021, while the average growth is about 30 percent,” the Russian diplomat said.

Rudenko added that more than 4 million citizens of Central Asia permanently live in the Russian Federation.

“Indeed, Russia is a big market. Great interest is shown to Russia not only because it helps the Central Asian countries. However, according to some experts, about 8 percent of Russia's GDP accounts for labour migrants. That is, this assistance is bilateral. Indeed, this is very important for us, especially today, when there is a shortage of workers, including those in remote areas,” the diplomat noted.