CAREC Institute Held Partnership Talks with the Eurasian Development Bank

On July 18, representatives from the CAREC Institute, including Director Mr. Kabir Jurazoda, Deputy Director Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Chief of Capacity Building Division Dr. Ilhom Abdulloev, and Senior Specialist Mr. Merdan Yazyeev, held an online meeting with counterparts from the Eurasian Development Bank. The discussion aimed to organize and discuss various issues. Present from the Eurasian Development Bank were Ms. Natalia Gaston, Head of the Strategy and Business Initiatives Department, Mr. Denis Abramtsov, Head of Strategic Initiatives in the Department of Strategy and Business Initiatives, and Ms. Anna-Maria Chkonia, Head of Technical Assistance in the Department of Strategy and Business Initiatives. The meeting occurred following Mr. Kabir Jurazoda’s participation in the Annual Meeting of the Eurasian Development Bank, aiming to yield specific outcomes.

Mr. Kabir Jurazoda provided comprehensive details about the CAREC Institute’s ongoing initiatives, highlighting its regional development strategies and collaborative efforts with member states. He emphasized the institute’s commitment to enhancing capacity building across various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, and trade facilitation. Mr. Jurazoda also discussed recent achievements in fostering economic integration and sustainable development within the CAREC region, underscoring the importance of partnerships with organizations like the Eurasian Development Bank to achieve mutual goals effectively.

Dr. Kuat Akizhanov presented the CAREC Institute’s current research projects, emphasizing its collaborative efforts with international financial institutions. He highlighted ongoing studies aimed at addressing regional economic challenges and fostering sustainable development within the CAREC region. Dr. Akizhanov discussed strategic research partnerships aimed at enhancing policy frameworks in areas such as infrastructure development, energy security, and trade facilitation. He underscored the institute’s commitment to leveraging these partnerships to drive impactful outcomes and support the region’s socio-economic advancement.

The parties extensively discussed the potential use of the CAREC Institute’s School for Policymakers to enhance regional expertise in evaluating project impacts and associated methodologies as a future theme of the school. In their deliberations, they explored both qualitative and quantitative metrics for assessing the effects of projects facilitated by multilateral development banks. The discussions emphasized the importance of comprehensive evaluation frameworks to measure the outcomes of such projects effectively. The conversation specifically highlighted the CAREC Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring (CPMM) project as a pivotal case study. Participants exchanged views on the project’s milestones, its alignment with regional development goals, and its potential to enhance transport infrastructure across Central Asia. They underscored the importance of robust assessment frameworks to gauge tangible socio-economic benefits and ensure sustainable development outcomes.

Throughout the discussion, both parties expressed their commitment to leveraging these insights to refine project implementation strategies and maximize positive impacts within the region.