In today’s briefing:
- Tencent’s Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of “Digital Silk Road”?
Tencent’s Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of “Digital Silk Road”?
- Tencent’s recent investment in Uzum marks the first investment by a Chinese tech giant in a local Central Asian startup, signaling a fundamental strategic pivot in the region.
- Central Asia now presents potential markets for Chinese tech companies, beyond just infrastructure or commodity-focused opportunities, following the execution of the earlier phases of the Belt & Road Initiative.
- Given Uzbekistan’s larger population and more diversified economy, it is generally seen as better fitted for tech companies’ growth, esp. B2C platforms, compared to Kazakhstan (a raw materials giant).
💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma
Sign Up for Free
The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network
- ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
- ✓ Personalised Alerts
- ✓ Custom Watchlists
- ✓ Company Data and News
- ✓ Events & Webinars
