CAREC Regional Improvement of Border Services Project Inception Meeting

In preparation of the Regional Improvement of Border Services (RIBS) Project, focal points of the 10 CAREC countries, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and PADECO consultants met to (i) introduce the PADECO consulting team; (ii) consider the list of border crossing points (BCPs) proposed for inclusion in the project; (iii) identify single-window investment needs that may be supported by the project; and (iv) discuss arrangements for due diligence visits by PADECO to the BCPs.

It was agreed that governments intending to participate in the RIBS Project are expected to (i) identify priority BCPs in their respective countries; (ii) provide security clearance for PADECO consultants to visit the BCPs; and (iii) gather and provide to the consultants relevant information on BCPs and single-window facilities.

The RIBS Project aims to accelerate the regional cooperation process by facilitating collaborative action through CAREC to remove barriers inhibiting regional travel and trade. The project will improve border-crossing points, logistics, and customs procedures in the region. ADB’s regional technical assistance (RETA 7775 – CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation: Border Crossing Point Improvement and Single Window Development) will finance the project preparation.