Features

A snapshot of e-commerce in Central Asia

In 2015, Central Asia made some important improvements in the environment for cross-border e-commerce: Kazakhstan's accession to the World Trade Organization will boost commercial transparency, while the Kyrgyz Republic’s membership in the Eurasian Customs Union expands its consumer base.

ADB Mission Visits Special Free Economic Zones in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic

An ADB mission met with government officials responsible for the oversight and supervision of special economic zones in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

Keeping Warm: Urban Heating Options for the Kyrgyz Republic

Given the cold climate and long heating seasons in the Kyrgyz Republic, access to reliable heating services is an essential need for everyday life – but it is a need that is often not met.

ADB approves additional financing for Bishkek-Torugart road

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $15 million in additional financing for the reconstruction of the remaining 60-kilometer (km) section of the Bishkek-Torugart road.

Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, to develop first CAREC economic corridor

Almaty and Bishkek will work together to identify physical infrastructure, policy and institutional initiatives, and market opportunities for development of the economic corridor.

Almaty–Bishkek Regional Road Rehabilitation Project

As the first CAREC-related project in the Kyrgyz Republic, the project upgraded the road between two bustling cities -- the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek and the Kazakh commercial center of Almaty.

Kyrgyz Republic: Rehabilitated road connects people and farms to opportunities

Road rehabilitation works along segments of the Osh-Batken-Isfana road in the Kyrgyz Republic result in an increase and diversification of local and trans-border trade.

Faster Border Crossing Time, Higher Transport Costs in CAREC Countries

It takes slightly less time to cross border-crossing points (BCPs) but the cost of border clearances and traveling across CAREC corridors is significantly higher, according to the latest CAREC Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring (CPMM) Report.

Highlights of the CAREC Senior Officials Meeting

Aside from progress in the program's four priority sectors, the midyear CAREC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM)discussed updates on the proposed economic corridor development (ECD) study, the CAREC development effectiveness review (DEfR), the CAREC corridor performance measurement and monitoring (CPMM) report, and the CAREC Institute.

47th Annual Meeting – Rethinking Asia’s Challenges at the Crossroads of the Silk Road

ADB's 47th Annual Meeting, held in Astana from 2 to 5 May, saw much discussion on connectivity, innovation, and the need to keep up with the demands of a changing Asia and Pacific.