Russia is the largest donor to the countries of Central Asia, for the period from 2008 to 2022, Russia has provided aid to the region in excess of $6.2 billion, said Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko on Tuesday, speaking at the II Central Asian Conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club.
"Russia is the largest donor in the region. In the period from 2008 to 2022, Russia provided more than $6.2 billion of aid to Central Asian countries," he said.
The diplomat stressed that Russia is the largest investor in Central Asia. "The accumulated Russian investments in this region for the period 2010-2021 are about $30.5 billion. The turnover is growing, even despite the pandemic difficulties. In 2021, it was $37 billion, and the average growth is about 30%," he said.
Rudenko also noted that more than 4 million Central Asians are in Russia on a permanent basis. "Indeed, Russia is a big market that draws interest. And not only because it gives an opportunity to help the Central Asian states in some way. But, according to some experts, labor migrants create about 8% of Russia's GDP. In other words, this assistance is bilateral. Indeed, it is very important to us, especially today, when there is a shortage of labor resources, including in remote areas," said the deputy minister.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS