The main regions along the middle line of the Belt and Road Initiative are Central Asia, West Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe.
16.2.1 Central Asia
The main partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. China is an important trading partner of these five countries, and Kazakhstan is the hub connecting China and Central Asia.
Kazakhstan has a total population of 18.32 million and a per capita GDP of about US$9,000. Its economy is mainly based on oil, mining, natural gas, coal, and agriculture and animal husbandry, while its processing industry and light industry are relatively backward. Most daily consumer goods rely on imports, and its dependence on foreign goods is high. The main imported goods include machinery and equipment, transportation vehicles, instruments, chemical products, metals and their products, animal and plant products, and finished grains. In the past two years, the scale of e-commerce in Kazakhstan has shown a rapid growth trend.
Central Asia has a total population of 70 million and a per capita GDP of about US$6,000. As an emerging cross-border e-commerce market, it is in a period of rapid growth and has broad prospects.
Uzbekistan has a total population of 33.09 million and a per capita GDP of US$1,504. Imported products include oil, food, chemicals, electricity, machinery and equipment, ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals.
Turkmenistan has a total population of 5.62 million and a per capita GDP of US$7,356. Rich in oil and natural gas resources, it is the country’s pillar industry. The main imported products are grain, meat, light industrial products, etc.
Tajikistan has a total population of 9.1 million and a per capita GDP of US$800. The economic foundation is weak and the structure is single. Imported products are mainly transportation vehicles, machinery and equipment, mineral products and chemical products.
Kyrgyzstan has a total population of 6.36 million and a per capita GDP of US$1,220. The national economy is based on multiple ownerships, mainly agriculture and animal husbandry, with a weak industrial foundation and mainly produces raw materials. The main imported products are oil, chemical products, second-hand cars, clothing, natural gas, etc.