The upcoming initial public offering of Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund marks a turning point for Central Asia. With $2.4 billion in assets and a valuation of $1.95 billion — implying a discount of roughly 20 percent — the offering is intended to do more than raise capital. Uzbekistan wants to establish its credibility as an investment destination. But the IPO also represents a regional milestone.

The upcoming initial public offering of Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund marks a turning point for Central Asia. With $2.4 billion in assets and a valuation of $1.95 billion…

The IPO generated more than $2.8 billion (€2.6bn) in investor demand and raised around $603 million (€540m). Officials at the London Stock Exchange described the listing as a…