Features

Regional cooperation discussion highlights CAREC progress

The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) "ultimately seeks to create seamless connectivity and strengthen regional cooperation and integration processes in Central Asia," Kazakhstan Vice-Minister of Economy and Budget Planning Madina Abylkassymova said at the Regional Cooperation in a Changing Global Economic Landscape on 5 March 2013 at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters, Manila.

Tajikistan Transport: Surhob River Bridge Saves Lives

In Tajikistan, a new bridge across the Surhob River is connecting once-isolated villages to the amenities of town, saving lives in medical emergencies, and providing a much-needed shot in the arm for small businesses.

Grants for Energy and Transport Projects in Afghanistan Signed

Afghanistan will receive around $436 million in grants from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Three grant agreements for energy and transport projects were signed by Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and ADB Country Director Joji Tokeshi of the Afghanistan Resident Mission.

The Importance of Refreshing Cities Along the Eurasian Silk Road

As economic circumstances change and trade is reoriented towards Europe and Asia, it is important to rethink cities along the Eurasian “Silk Road.”

Securing Power Supply in Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley

The $288 million Namangan 500-Kilovolt (kV) Power Transmission Project will enhance reliability of the power supply to Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley.

Turkmenistan’s Path to WTO Accession

Turkmenistan officially set up a new state commission on joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) as declared by Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers, Annamukhammet Gochiev, at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 24 January 2013 in Ashgabat.

Roads Paved with Goodwill

Until recently, the 2,400 residents of village Aheer, near Gujar Khan, were often forced to wade through mud, sewage, garbage or whatever else flowed through its winding, unpaved lanes. A paving project made possible with assistance from Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, supported by World Bank financing, has added a 300-meter network of bricked pathways.

ADB Loan Benefits CAREC Corridor 3, Connecting Shymkent and Tashkent

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $125 million loan to finance rehabilitation of a 37-kilometer (km), four-lane section of the 99 km Shymkent-Tashkent road.

ADB Provides Technical Assistance for CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy Review

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a technical assistance to conduct the midterm review of the Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy and the Implementation Action Plan of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.

Kazakhstan, World Bank Sign Loan Agreement on CAREC Corridor 1b Road Project

The Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank signed a loan agreement on the East-West Roads Project (Almaty-Khorgos section): the International transit corridor Western Europe-Western China (CAREC 1b) on 10 October 2012. Kazakhstan's Minister of Finance Bolat Zhamishev said the agreement will complete the upgrade of the transit corridor.