How does participation in the Belt and Road Initiative impact debt sustainability and long-term economic growth in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

This thesis analyses the effects of involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on debt sustainability and long-term economic growth in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The Belt and Road Initiative, a prominent global infrastructure and investment endeavour spearheaded by China, has generated substantial financial inflows into Central Asian economies. Nonetheless, these expenditures have elicited apprehensions of escalating debt burdens and economic reliance. The study used a mixed-method approach, integrating quantitative analysis of public debt trends and GDP growth data with qualitative case studies of significant BRI projects in each nation. Data sources comprise reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and Asian Development Bank (ADB), in addition to local government publications obtained from Russian and Kazakh language resources. Primary areas of emphasis encompass the impact of BRI investments on debt-to-GDP ratios, the risks of repayment linked to external borrowing, and the long-term consequences for sustainable economic development. This thesis additionally contrasts the experiences of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan with those of other resource-dependent economies included in the BRI.