Features

In Almaty, Sharing Knowledge to Strengthen Energy and Water Security Across Central Asia

In Central Asia, energy and water security are critical to boosting income levels, reducing poverty, and ensuring sustainable development for all citizens across the region. This cannot be achieved, however, without enhanced cooperation at both the national and regional level.

CASA-1000: Powering up Central and South Asia

CASA-1000 is a short name for the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Program. This is the first step towards creating the Regional Electricity Market which will leverage Central Asia's significant energy resources to help alleviate South Asia's energy shortages on a mutually beneficial basis.

PRC: Project Launched to Strengthen Public Transport System in Urumqi

The World Bank and Urumqi Municipal Government officially launched the Urumqi Urban Transport Project II. Once completed, the $514 million project will bring to the city three new bus rapid transit (BRT) lines totaling 52 kilometers (km) and mark the completion of the city’s development of a seven-line, 128-km BRT system envisioned in its 2010-2020 Comprehensive Transport System Plan.

New All-season Road Connects Rural Lives in Kandahar Province

A new all-season road has improved the quality of life for residents of a village in Kandahar Province, allowing them to access health care, schools, and markets, as well as building a sense of community.

Shining a Light on Central Asia

The region is opening up to new investors, reform processes are under way, and more is known about Central Asia in the world.

Designing new climate-resilient roads in the Kyrgyz Republic

Roads are critical to transport across the vast lands of Central Asia, so we must make sure they can withstand the effects of climate change. Here is how we addressed adaptation in a new way for a project underway in the Kyrgyz Republic, where roads carry approximately 95% of passenger traffic and over 50% of freight.

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.

A New Look at Special Economic Zones in Asia

As countries in developing Asia adjust to shifting global economic realities – including lower trade volumes, volatile commodity prices, and ongoing slow growth in industrial economies – new tools to drive development can appear hard to come by.

PRC’s Transport Development Hits the Fast Lane

The People's Republic of China’s (PRC) ambitious plans for an advanced transport network and logistic system designed to facilitate continued economic development are set to accelerate.

Road lights bring life to Kabul neighborhoods

An urban transport project to improve road conditions in several areas of Kabul city is raising hopes for a safer and cleaner environment for residents, and for better business for local traders.