Features

Tajikistan Officially Joins the World Trade Organization

The Republic of Tajikistan was officially admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) at a session held in Geneva on 10 December 2012. The General Council approved Tajikistan’s accession package, paving the way for the country’s WTO membership.

Roads in Kyrgyz Republic will Help Improve Trade with Neighboring Countries

The Osh-Sary-Tash-Irkeshtam and the Sary-Tash-Karamyk roads were officially opened on 22 November 2012, in a ceremony participated in by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Jantoro Satybaldiev, Minister of Transport and Communications Kalykbek Sultanov, Asian Development Bank's Country Director in the Kyrgyz Republic Rie Hiraoka, and Islamic Development Bank representatives.

CAREC region has favorable growth, but policy challenges remain

CAREC countries, excluding the People's Republic of China (PRC), will continue to post a solid recovery in 2013, based on the “Outlook for the Global Economy and CAREC Countries” presentation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the 11th Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) on 30 October 2012.

The Wuhan Action Plan charts the path of the CAREC Program

In October 2012, Ministers of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan endorsed the Wuhan Action Plan. The Action Plan will guide the CAREC Program in implementing the CAREC 2020 strategic framework.

CAREC Ministers Issue Joint Statement to Support CAREC 2020 Implementation Plan

At the conclusion of the 11th Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation on 30 October 2012, CAREC Ministers lauded the progress the CAREC Program since 2001.

Transport in the People’s Republic of China: Highway Brings Business

In the People's Republic of China, a four-lane expressway - half of it bridges and tunnels - through one of the most biodiverse regions in the world is facilitating trade and raising incomes for farmers.

CAREC Ministers Endorse Wuhan Action Plan

Ministers of the 10 Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program member countries endorsed the Wuhan Action Plan (Action Plan) at the 11th Ministerial Conference, held in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Shardara Hydropower Plant Receives EBRD Loan for Modernization

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has allocated a loan of 9.15 billion tenge (€50 million) to finance modernization of the 100-megawatt Shardara hydropower plant in South Kazakhstan.

Ceremony Marks Construction of Kunduz–Taluqan Power Transmission Line

A groundbreaking ceremony in Takhar province marked the start of construction of the $27.8-million power transmission line linking the northern Afghanistan cities of Kunduz and Taluqan. The transmission line is being funded by Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) $164-million grant, the first tranche of a multitranche finance facility worth $570 million under the Energy Sector Development Investment Program.

Kazakhstan Road Section of the South–West Transport Corridor Receives EBRD Loan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a $197 million loan for the reconstruction and upgrading of the 62-kilometer road section that connects the city of Shymkent and the Uzbekistan border. The estimated total project cost is $231 million.