JANUARYASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8CENTRAL ASIA HIGHLIGHTSAD Ports Group has deepened its strategic engagement in Central Asia through a significant partnership with SEMURG Invest to develop a greenfield grain terminal at Kazakhstan's Kuryk Port. Under a foundation agreement, AD Ports Group holds a 51 per cent stake in the Sarzha Multifunctional Marine Terminal project, with Semurg owning the remaining 49 per cent. Phase one of the terminal, scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026, will have an annual grain handling capacity of 570,000 tonnes. Subsequent expansion in phase two will increase capacity to approximately 1.5 million tonnes per year. This investment, totaling just over USD 50 million with AD Ports contributing around USD 30 million, is designed to support global food trade by linking Kazakhstan via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to European and Asian markets. The partnership also extends beyond terminal development. AD Ports Group and KazMorTransFlot, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas, have agreed heads of terms to expand maritime operations in the Caspian Sea. This cooperation includes plans for new container vessels with capacities exceeding 500 TEUs and the development of a trans-Caspian intermodal system that will improve transit times for exporters and strengthen energy and logistics links in the region. Economic momentum in Central Asia is further reflected in Kyrgyzstan, where preliminary data indicate that the country's GDP grew by approximately 10 per cent in the first ten months of 2025, supported by robust performance in industrial, construction and services sectors. In the corporate sector, Tata Steel Limited announced plans to invest up to USD 2.5 billion in its Singapore-based subsidiary, T Steel Holdings, to reinforce its European business operations. This capital infusion is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the company's presence in key markets amid regulatory and structural transformation in the steel industry. Meanwhile, the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) have signed a memorandum of cooperation to accelerate growth in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The collaboration aims to position Singapore as a leading business events hub by leveraging bilateral strengths, enhancing industry standards, and expanding regional outreach for trade and innovation-oriented events. Together, these developments highlight expanding trade connectivity, regional economic acceleration, and strategic corporate investments that are shaping Asia's business landscape in 2025. · Partnership ­ AD Ports Partners with KazMu-nayGas to Boost Trade in Central Asia· Economy ­ Kyrgyzstan GDP Growth Surges in First 10 Months of 2025· Investment ­ Tata Steel to Invest $2.5B in Singa-pore Unit to Strengthen European Biz· Trendsetter ­ SECB Partners with JETRO to Boost MICE Industry Growth2025 RUN-THROUGH
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