In recent years, Anhui Province’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have strengthened ties with Central Asian countries, expanding economic and trade relations and launching a number of high-quality projects in sectors such as cement, energy, and automobiles. These efforts have made notable contributions to the development of a China–Central Asia community with a shared future under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Conch Group: Expanding footprint in cement and green materials
Anhui Conch Group Co., Ltd. (Conch Group) has been intensifying its investments in Central Asia. In December 2022, it established a regional management office in Uzbekistan. Earlier, on May 18, 2022, the Karshi Cement Project — Conch Group’s first investment in Central Asia — was successfully ignited and later put into operation. The plant quickly gained market recognition for its superior service and high-quality products.
A view of the Karshi Cement Project, Conch Group’s first investment in Central Asia [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
On August 19, 2023, the Tashkent Cement Project was completed, followed by the ignition and commissioning of the Andijan Cement Plant on March 30, 2024. These projects have significantly enhanced local cement production capacity and technical standards, while also boosting the development of related industries such as logistics, transport, and construction. They have created numerous local jobs and delivered tangible benefits to local communities.
Beyond cement, Conch Group is actively expanding into new building materials and energy conservation. On April 21, Conch (Anhui) Energy-Saving Environmental Protection New Materials Co., Ltd. (Conch New Materials) signed a business cooperation agreement with a smart windows and doors company in Tashkent, and successfully delivered its first shipment of 21 tons of aluminum materials.
Subsidiaries including Anhui International Trade Group (Holding) Co., Ltd. and Anhui Conch Sci-Tech Materials Co., Ltd. have also developed diversified partnerships with countries across Central Asia, exporting cement additives, lighting products, chemicals, and glassware, all of which are well-received locally. Through its diversified industrial layout, Conch Group continues to supply Central Asia with high-quality products and services, supporting local economic development.
WOM: Supporting Central Asia’s energy infrastructure
Anhui Province Wenergy Power Operation and Maintenance Co., Ltd. (WOM), a subsidiary of Anhui Province Energy Group Co., Ltd., has been actively engaging in Central Asia’s energy sector since 2023 under the BRI framework.
In Uzbekistan, the company has provided operational training and guidance for the 1,500 MW Syrdarya combined-cycle independent power project since February 2023. As a key BRI project, it features world-leading gas turbine technology and meets “zero wastewater discharge” standards. WOM designed a customized training program for the plant’s personnel and supported the successful commissioning of two gas turbines and one steam turbine. The company continues to provide ongoing operational support for the plant.
In Tajikistan, WOM has undertaken the overhaul and service work for the Dushanbe No. 2 Thermal Power Plant for three consecutive years. Recently, about 200 of its maintenance staff were dispatched in groups to carry out summer overhauls on both Phase I (2×50 MW) and Phase II (2×150 MW) coal-fired heating units. These efforts are critical for ensuring the stable operation of the plant and reliable winter heating supply in Dushanbe.
A view of the Dushanbe No. 2 Thermal Power Plant [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
JAC Motors: Driving deeper automotive integration in Kazakhstan
Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (JAC Motors) entered the Kazakh market in 2014, with the first locally assembled vehicles rolling off the production line and into the market by the end of 2015. Today, the company has established a strong presence across all five Central Asian countries, with a network of over 100 4S stores.
Kostanay, known as Kazakhstan’s “automobile city,” is home to the country’s largest automaker, Allur Group. JAC Motors operates a dealership there and maintains close cooperation with Allur Group.
In 2019, China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation and JAC Motors jointly invested in Allur Group. This was the first Sino-Central Asian cooperation project in the automotive manufacturing sector.
To improve production processes, JAC Motors helped upgrade Allur’s welding and painting facilities, and regularly sends key Allur staff to its Hefei headquarters for training. Chinese technicians are also dispatched to Kazakhstan to provide on-site support, helping resolve production issues in real time.
In 2024, Allur Group’s annual vehicle output exceeded 90,000 units — more than 60 percent of Kazakhstan’s total auto production. Meanwhile, JAC Motors achieved end-user sales of over 13,000 units in Kazakhstan for the year, a 50.2 percent year-on-year increase, with a market share exceeding 6 percent.
In September 2024, JAC Motors officially launched a complete knock-down commercial vehicle assembly line in Kazakhstan. The new line prioritizes sourcing local components such as batteries and tires, signaling a breakthrough in local production and integration. It also stimulates growth across the local automotive industry chain.
(Executive editor: Cui Feng)
