Features

Energy in Afghanistan: Reliable On-Grid Power for Kabul

After years of darkness and air pollution caused by countless diesel generators, Kabul has reliable grid-supplied power, and initiatives are in motion to do the same for the rest of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Highway Connects Country to Central Asia and Middle East

A 100-km stretch of road is saving and improving lives and enhancing business opportunities in the north of Afghanistan, but it is just one small part of the 2,700-km ring road that is helping reconnect the country with Central Asia and the Middle East.

Afghanistan Rail System Connects to Uzbekistan

A rail connection from Afghanistan's biggest northern city to the Uzbekistan border offers a chance to reestablish the war-torn nation as a regional trade hub.

Central Asia and the New Silk Road: 12 Things to Know

The thriving east-west trade that once prospered along the famed Silk Road is slowly being restored to its former glory through transport and trade links being rolled out under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation program. Here are 12 facts and figures on the New Silk Road.

Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway opens, highlights country-to-country cooperation

After a trial 75-kilometer journey, a train running from Hairatan at the border of Uzbekistan arrived at Afghanistan’s newly built Naibabad Station in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif on 21 December 2011. Although the seven-carriage train carried no cargo, it brought great opportunity for increased trade and cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbors in Central Asia.

ADB pledges $4.7 billion to CAREC 2020

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $4.7 billion over the next 3 years to support the new 10-year strategy for the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program or CAREC 2020, and its goals of trade expansion and improved competitiveness.

Central Asia Economy and Regional Trade

The thriving east-west trade that once spanned Central Eurasia along the famed Silk Road may soon be restored to its former glory thanks to growing transport and trade links being rolled out under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program.

Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan welcome Afghanistan into cross-border transport accord

Senior officials of the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan welcomed Afghanistan to their Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) at a meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, on 23–25 August 2011. Delegations of all three countries agreed on the final draft of the protocol of Afghanistan’s accession, which is expected to be signed at the 10th CAREC Ministerial Conference to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2011.

Afghanistan to Receive $341.5 Million for Road and Power Projects

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $341.5 million in grants and technical assistance to Afghanistan for the completion of the country’s vital Ring Road and improvement of its power sector.

CAREC Corridor 2 Road Project Gets $600 Million ADB Funding

The Uzbekistan road section of the A380 highway, which forms part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program's Corridor 2, is getting support from a $600 million Asian Development Bank (ADB) multitranche financing facility.