CAREC Program

Feature Items

17th Ministerial Conference on CAREC

This year’s ministerial conference focused on expanding regional trade and promoting economic diversification. CAREC ministers unanimously endorsed the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda (CITA) 2030 and its Rolling Strategic Action Plan (RSAP) 2018–2030.

ADB President reaffirms support to CAREC at 17th Ministerial Conference

Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao reaffirmed ADB’s support for CAREC and announced $2 billion in new assistance for regional projects in CAREC countries in 2018.

Source: Asian Development Bank

ADB signs $500 million loan to strengthen Turkmenistan’s electricity supply, boost regional power trade

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Turkmenistan signed a $500 million loan to strengthen Turkmenistan’s transmission network, improve the reliability of the country’s power supply, and increase electricity exports to neighboring countries. The signing was conducted at the sidelines of the 17th Ministerial Conference on CAREC held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Source: Asian Development Bank

CAREC Project Portfolio

From a modest start in 2001, the number and value of CAREC projects—including loans, grants, and technical assistance—have grown rapidly to 190 projects worth $32.9 billion.

Pakistan’s New Expressway Speeds Up Domestic Travel and Links the Country to Its Neighbors

Pakistan’s new E-35 expressway, which links Islamabad to the north of the country, has shortened travel time and made trips safer. ADB and the United Kingdom Department for International Development funded the construction of this new expressway. (Photo credit: ADB)

Source: Asian Development Bank

CAREC Regional Workshop—Promoting Regional Tourism Cooperation under CAREC 2030

Tourism officials from the CAREC member countries, private sector representatives, and tour operators met to deliberate on key challenges and opportunities for regional initiatives and collaborative actions to promote tourism development in the region.

Aviation and the Role of CAREC: A Scoping Study

This study examines the potential role of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program in improving aviation in the region.

The Almaty–Bishkek Economic Corridor

The Almaty–Bishkek Economic Corridor, which emanated from the Almaty–Bishkek Corridor Initiative, transforms the area into a single space where exchange of ideas, movement of goods and meeting people is fast, easy, and free of barriers. This fact sheet explains the corridor concept and its application through Almaty–Bishkek Economic Corridor (ABEC) development, shows the achieved milestones, and outlines the tasks ahead.

CAREC and its Vitality for Pakistan

Pakistan has been looking for new ways to overcome trade barriers for trade in Central Asia at the heart of increasing integrated global markets. Sustainable Development Policy Institute invited Asian Development Bank Central and West Asia Department Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Director Safdar Parvez to discuss the CAREC Program and the current standing of Pakistan in CAREC.

Source: Others

Economic Corridor Development

Developing economic corridors is a priority for the CAREC Program, which has funded infrastructure connectivity among member countries for more than a decade. As CAREC member countries become more developed and connected to each other, they can benefit by cooperating at a higher level by linking markets, ideas, and people.

Latest Events

Subregional Workshop on Application of Customs Related Provisions of World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement

The subregional workshop aimed to discuss the application of specific customs-related provisions of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan.

Workshop on Environmental Readiness for E-Commerce: Economic, Legal, and Institutional Factors

The workshop aims to raise awareness among CAREC member countries of the enabling conditions to promote the development of e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce.

Workshop on SME Trade Finance in the CAREC Region

The 2-day workshop assisted CAREC countries to promote small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) trade finance consistent with the CAREC 2030 priority of bolstering SME financing through cross-country learning.

Workshop on Special Economic Zones: Challenges and Perspective for Landlocked CAREC Countries

The workshop seeks to deepen the understanding of the evolving nature of special economic zones (SEZs) and enhance capacities to formulate and implement strategies for SEZs by linking them with the country’s overall development strategies, which are priority areas under the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda 2030.

17th Ministerial Conference on CAREC

CAREC At a Glance

$32.9 billion invested in transport, trade, and energy projects
From 6 projects in 2001 to 190 projects, as of 2018

CAREC Timeline

News and Features

ADB grant to support increased cross-border energy trading in Central Asia

Jan 7, 2019; Asian Development Bank

ADB loan to establish ‘one-stop shops’ for horticulture product processing, storage, and distribution in Uzbekistan

Nov 16, 2018; Asian Development Bank

ADB signs $500 million loan to strengthen Turkmenistan’s electricity supply, boost regional power trade

Nov 15, 2018; Asian Development Bank

Key Projects

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Transport Key Project

Transport

Xinjiang Regional Road Improvement Project

The many new road connections in Xinjiang are the result of government plans to provide strong trade links for the booming eastern provinces and to improve access to remote western regions in the People's Republic of China.

Trade Key Project

Trade

Second Trade and Transport Facilitation Project

The project aims to improve performance of trade and transport logistics by facilitating the implementation of the National Trade Corridor Improvement Program and the simplification and modernization of Pakistan's international trade practices and procedures.

Energy Key Project

Energy

Nurek 500 kV Switchyard Reconstruction Project

The Nurek Hydroelectric Power Plant also plays an important role in regulating the frequency of power transmissions to the interlinked electricity networks of four other Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.