Central Asia: The first economic contraction in a quarter century For the Central Asia region, which is so commodity and remittance dependent, economic output will likely contract by 1.7% in 2020 , according to the latest Economic Update for Europe and Central Asia.
Speeding up digital transformation to tackle COVID-19 in Uzbekistan Digitalization can help Uzbekistan overcome major hurdles as it integrates into the global economy: both its physical constraints as a doubly land-locked country, and the information gaps and technical barriers to increasing prosperity.
Strengthening Afghanistan’s fight against COVID-19 Aware of the threats of the coronavirus outbreak on the fragile health system and the economy, the World Bank moved quickly, fast-tracking a $100-million emergency grant on to help Afghanistan strengthen its public health preparedness.
World Bank supports Tajikistan’s transport connectivity and regional trade The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved the grant-financed Fourth Phase of the Central Asia Regional Links Program (CARs-4), which aims to enhance Tajikistan’s regional transport connectivity and facilitate cross-border trade
One region, one health: Preparing Central Asia for future pandemics It is nothing new to suggest that regional cooperation in Central Asia holds significant potential for the region. Nor is it novel to recall the shared heritage and history, including the famous Silk Road, that links Central Asian countries.
In Georgia, initial successes fighting COVID-19 could lead to long-term gains As Georgia’s economy gradually restarts, it has a unique opportunity to initiate a new era of growth that is more diversified and inclusive.
Another COVID-19 challenge: Saving Asia’s crucial infrastructure deals The public-private partnerships used to finance roads, ports, hospitals and dozens of other infrastructure projects could be affected by the pandemic-induced financial crisis.
Ulaanbaatar–Darkhan Road: Road Safety Improvement In January 2020, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided a $137 million loan to Mongolia for expansion of the 202-kilometer road between Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar and the third-largest municipality of Darkhan.
A new era of clean energy cooperation along the old Silk Road The ancient web of connections that once made the Silk Road indispensable to world trade are making a comeback. Largely unnoticed, countries in Central Asia and South Asia are starting to implement a vision of working together on something just as vital to their economies – energy sharing.
