Kazakhstan is gunning to be the investment hub for the recently launched Eurasian Economic Union, but the collapse of the Russian rouble has left companies investing in the country struggling to turn a profit. 

The central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan barely register in terms of global FDI share, making the presence of the IFC in the region all the more important. The corporation's director of Europe and central Asia tells Michal Kaczmarski how the IFC is helping these former Soviet republics make their voices heard.

Kazakhstan is hoping to turn to replicate its successful bid for Expo 2017 in Astana with its application to become host of the 2022 Winter Olympics, bringing investment and stimulating growth.

Russian gold mining company Nordgold has expanded through many developing markets since its inception in 2007, and is looking to continue growing in regions that more established operators have tended to avoid.

The former Soviet republics that now make up the Commonwealth of Independent States have long been a fertile ground for German investors. This association is continuing to pay dividends, with German companies reaping the benefits of doing business in countries in which others in the West are more cautious about entering.

Across central Asia, from China to Kazakhstan, economies are set to benefit from the re-opening of trade routes along the historic Silk Road. Significant investment has already been made to improve the infrastructure along the route, but further investment, more cohesion between the central Asian countries involved and more politically stability in the region as a whole is needed if this great passageway between Asia and Europe is to return to its former glory.