Uzbekistan's AKFA Aluminium Group is preparing to engage with international investors next week, signaling its intent to issue its first-ever bond. The company has tapped Citigroup and J.P. Morgan to help explore investor appetite for the potential debt offering.

This move marks a significant step for AKFA, a major private entity in Uzbekistan, as it seeks to tap international capital markets. The engagement with investors will gauge demand and pricing for the proposed bond, which could provide AKFA with substantial funding for future growth or operational needs.

The involvement of global investment banks like Citi and JPM suggests AKFA is aiming for a significant international debut. Success in this endeavor could pave the way for other Uzbek companies to access global debt markets, potentially lowering their cost of capital and increasing foreign investment in the Central Asian nation.