22nd CAREC Trade Policy Coordinating Committee Meeting

Trade officials from CAREC member countries met to deliberate on the challenges of implementing the refined Trade Policy Strategic Action Plan and provide insights on the way forward.

The plan seeks to achieve trade expansion through regional cooperation through (i) increasing trade openness to stimulate stronger growth and development, contributing to poverty reduction; (ii) helping all CAREC countries achieve World Trade Organization membership; and (iii) capacity building in the area of trade and trade policy.

Representatives from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Agence Francaise de Developpement, and US Agency for International Development presented and shared their views on the supporting role international partners can play in implementing the refined action plan.

The International Monetary Fund chaired the meeting.