Features

Making the Most of Capital Flows in the Middle East and Central Asia

As economies in the Middle East and Central Asia become increasingly integrated into global capital markets, a central question has emerged: How can countries reap the benefits of capital inflows while guarding against the risks posed by sudden market shifts?

Expanding food trade in Central Asia through modernizing sanitary and phytosanitary measures

Agriculture and livestock exports present huge opportunities for countries in Central Asia. However, countries in the region face significant problems related to sanitary (animals) and phytosanitary (plants) standards, which currently do not meet the quality-control requirements of many countries. (Photo credit: World Bank)

The race between education and technology in Europe and Central Asia

While enrollment in tertiary education worldwide has gone up threefold since 1970, the overall returns to education–the benefits to individuals and society from investment in education–have not changed during the past 5 decades.

Getting it right on railways

Lining up rights-of-way for megaprojects, such as railways and highways, in crowded places is challenging but it can be done with an imaginative and respectful plan.

Road Upgrade Improves School Environment and Living Conditions in Kabul Neighborhood

Until recently, schoolchildren faced daily challenges reaching their neighborhood school in Kabul because of the poor state of the street leading to the school. The children and neighborhood residents now enjoy clean streets, less pollution, and lower transport costs thanks to the efforts of Kabul Municipality under the Kabul Municipality Development Program.

How do you like them apples? Central Asia gets ready to help feed the world

Central Asia is home to a treasure trove of marketable fruits and vegetables but food safety must be addressed before they can be marketed globally.

Road Safety: An Integral Part of the World Bank’s Mission

The World Bank and the Global Road Safety Facility are working closely together to protect lives on the road and tackle all dimensions of the road safety challenge, from road design to vehicle standards and institutions.

Reviving Connectivity and Diversifying Trade in Central Asia

In Central Asia, it once took up to 58 hours and $318 for a cargo truck to cross a border. Countries in the region are working together to streamline the process for goods and services to move across borders.

Canal Rehabilitation Boosts Output and Income for Thousands in Northern Afghanistan

The Irrigation Restoration Development Project supports rehabilitation of irrigation systems that serve some 215,000 hectares of land across Afghanistan.

Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia and the Caucasus

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure projects are expected to cut trade costs and enhance foreign investment in Central Asia and South Caucasus countries.