Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund (UzNIF), together with its investment manager Franklin Templeton, held the second UzNIF Investor Day 2026 in Tashkent from 13 to 15 October.
More than 200 people attended the event, including representatives of 60 global and regional asset management companies, Franklin Templeton said.
Participants also included senior government officials, investment analysts, representatives of portfolio companies and business executives.
Investors from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia explored investment opportunities in Uzbekistan and reviewed the transformation of companies in the fund’s portfolio.
The three-day programme followed the fund’s share listing on the London Stock Exchange and the Toshkent Republican Stock Exchange in May 2026.
The programme included site visits, presentations by government and central bank representatives, expert panels on key industries, and individual and group meetings with the management of the fund and its portfolio companies.
The event began on 13 October with visits to key assets held by the fund. Participants toured the Charvak Hydropower Plant, the Kadirya Water Treatment Plant and Uzbekistan Airways’ aircraft maintenance and repair facility.
The following day, government and industry representatives discussed the investment climate and opportunities in the energy, telecommunications and transport sectors.
The event concluded on 15 October with meetings between investors and portfolio companies, focusing on business strategies, investment plans and future prospects.
Manraj Sehgal, chief executive officer of Templeton Asset Management and chief investment officer of Templeton Global Investments, said Uzbekistan’s reforms, strategic location and diversified economy offered long-term opportunities for foreign investors.
He said the fund’s successful initial public offering in May 2026 underscored this potential. Sehgal added that the event gave participants an opportunity to engage directly with companies and government representatives.
Through UzNIF, Franklin Templeton helps connect state assets with global capital by engaging investors, attracting capital and developing capital markets, he said.
Marius Dan, executive director for Central Asia at Templeton Global Investments, said the listing had enabled international and domestic investors to participate in Uzbekistan’s economic transformation.
He said the main priority now was to implement initiatives aimed at creating long-term value. These include independent oversight, disciplined capital allocation and greater transparency across the fund’s portfolio.
UzNIF was established under Presidential Resolution No. PP-303 of 27 August 2024 as part of Uzbekistan’s economic reform programme. Its objectives include supporting capital market development, attracting international investment and increasing the value of state-owned enterprises.
The fund holds stakes ranging from 25% to 40% in 13 state-owned enterprises operating in transport, financial services, energy, utilities and telecommunications.
Franklin Templeton Asset Management LLC serves as the fund’s investment manager.