CAREC Senior Officials' Meeting (April 2008)

The meeting was characterized by open and detailed discussion focused on

• developments in the transport and trade facilitation sectors and preparation of an Implementation Action Plan for the Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy;
• a draft Trade Policy Strategic Action Plan;
• a draft Energy Sector Strategy;
• an update on activities of the CAREC Institute;
• preparations for the 7th Ministerial Conference planned for November 2008 in Baku, Azerbaijan; and
• potential approaches for expanding interaction with development partners.

It was chaired by Samir Veliyev, Executive Director, Ministry of Economic Development, Azerbaijan, and co-chaired by Sean O’Sullivan, Deputy Director General, Central and West Asia Department, Asian Development Bank.

Press Releases

• Major Road Project to Link Western Mongolia with PRC, Russia
• ADB Funds Upgrade of Key ‘Silk Road’ Highway in Uzbekistan
• ADB Grant to Fund Construction of Final Section of Afghanistan’s Ring Road
• ADB Extends $3M Grant to Facilitate Trade in Central Asia
• $18 Billion Plan to Build New ‘Silk Roads’ through Central Asia
• ADB Assists in Rehabilitation of Road Network in Central Asia to Foster Trade
• ADB: Regional Cooperation Essential to Economic Growth in Central Asia
• Central Asia Set to Take Major Step Forward in Regional Cooperation