At the Central Asia Warehouse Summit (CAWS) held on 16 October in Almaty, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) presented its strategic vision for developing warehousing infrastructure in Central Asia. The event featured presentations by Iaroslav Mandron, Vice Chairman of the EDB Management Board, and Alexey Skatin, Head of the Directorate for Strategic Projects, who outlined the region’s key investment priorities and infrastructure challenges.
According to IBC Global and NF Group (2024–2025), the warehousing market in Central Asia is currently facing a structural shortage of quality space, creating unique opportunities for investors, with returns of 17–20% per annum and investment payback over 5–8 years. This makes the sector one of the most promising areas for business development in Eurasia.
At present, overall demand for modern warehouses in Central Asia is estimated at almost 2 million sq m, with total investment requirements reaching up to US $1.5 billion.
According to EDB data, Central Asian countries have announced plans to build 1.6 million sq m of warehouse space, reflecting growing market activity and strong interest in the logistics sector from both local and international investors.
Modern warehouses are key to logistics and e-commerce development in Central Asia
Central Asia is becoming a critical hub in global logistics routes. The expanding e-commerce and industrial sectors are driving demand for advanced solutions, including automation, temperature-controlled zones and fast order processing.
Class A warehouses – high-quality facilities with low vacancy rates and stable profitability – are in particularly high demand. These facilities ensure the development of 3PL operators, investment growth and the region’s integration into international logistics networks.
Forecasts
Long-term projections point to a substantial increase in warehouse demand across Eurasia. Scenario modelling suggests that the region’s total warehouse stock could almost double by 2040. In the baseline scenario, demand for warehouse space rises from approximately 58 million sq m in the first quarter of 2025 to 101 million sq m by 2040, representing a 74% increase.
Establishment of a warehousing association in Central Asia
The EDB, together with IBC Global, has also initiated the establishment of a Central Asia Warehousing Association – an industry platform designed to unite market participants, support the development of the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System and attract international investment to the region’s logistics sector.
Alexey Skatin, Head of the EDB Directorate for Strategic projects, commented:
“We plan to establish the Central Asia Warehousing Association as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among all market participants, from investors to technology providers. Our aim is to bring together the professional community to create a regional market with access to long-term financing and industry standards. We invite developers, tenants, financial institutions and general contractors to join this initiative to jointly lay the foundation for the systematic development of warehousing infrastructure and create favourable conditions for international and regional investment.”
Why it’s important
Central Asia remains a region with the lowest availability of modern warehousing infrastructure. The growth of e-commerce, agricultural exports and cross-border trade demands the modernisation of logistics and the construction of high-quality warehouses. However, the market is fragmented and lacks common standards, while access to finance remains limited.
The warehousing association aims to overcome these barriers and become a key element of the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System, fostering economic convergence among the region’s countries and their integration into global supply chains.
The association’s objectives include:
- Attracting financial institutions and institutional investors to the industry
- Ensuring access to finance for projects
- Establishing financial consortia
- Promoting industry standards
- Conducting project audits, certification and standardisation
- Carrying out industry research and analysis
- Developing vocational education and training
- Facilitating dialogue with the state and improving the legislative framework
The association will broaden financing opportunities for warehousing projects in the region, making them more accessible, transparent and efficient for all market participants – from investors and developers to government agencies and technology suppliers.
EDB Webinar: Warehousing Infrastructure in Eurasia – An Opportunity of the Decade
On 23 October 2025 at 12:00 Almaty time (10:00 Moscow time), the Eurasian Development Bank will host a webinar entitled Warehousing Infrastructure in Eurasia – An Opportunity of the Decade to discuss the outlook and potential of the warehousing market in Central Asia. EDB researchers – Arman Ahunbaev, Head of the Centre for Infrastructure and Industrial Research, and Stanislav Chuyev, Senior Analyst, – will present up-to-date data, forecasts and analyses of key trends in the sector.
To register, please follow this link.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For more than 19 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. By July 2025, the EDB’s cumulative portfolio comprised 319 projects with a total investment of US $19.1 billion. The portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Bank adheres to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles in its operations.
The EDB is implementing three mega-projects as part of its 2022–2026 Strategy: the Central Asian Water and Energy Complex, the Eurasian Transport Network and the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System.
The EDB Media Centre:
+7 (727) 244 40 44, ext. 4774 and 2160
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